Illustrated  Sterling  edition 


THE  KING'S  OWN 


THE  PIRATE 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 


BY 
CAPTAIN  FREDERICK  MARRYAT 


With  Introduction  by 
W.  L.  COURTNEY,  M.  A.,  LL.  D. 


BOSTON  AND  NEW  YORK 
DANA  ESTES  &  COMPANY 

PUBLISHERS 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

IF  in  the  case  of  some  novelists  it  makes  little  or  no  difference 
what  their  private  life  and  personal  experience  have  been, 
there  are  many  others  whose  existence  we  ought  to  know 
with  fair  intimacy,  before  we  can  even  begin  to  understand 
their  work.  Captain  Marryat  assuredly  belongs  to  the  latter 
class.  If  we  are  to  put  ourselves  at  the  right  point  of  view 
to  estimate  those  novels  by  which  he  lives — '•"  Peter  Simple," 
"  Mr.  Midshipman  Easy,"  "  The  King's  Own,"  and  others 
whose  titles  are  household  names — it  is  necessary  to  have 
some  general  acquaintance  with  those  stirring  times  of  his 
life  which  lie  between  1 806  and  1 8 1  o.  Fortunately  enough — 
because  the  materials  for  Captain  Marryat's  life  are  strangely 
scanty — he  has  told  us  a  great  deal  of  his  personal  history  in 
"  Frank  Mildmay."  The  author  energetically  denied  that  he 
was  in  his  first  published  book  drawing  his  own  portrait,  for 
the  best  of  reasons,  because  his  hero  is  by  no  means  a  perfect 
young  gentleman,  such  as  the  ordinary  reader  would  be  likely 
to  take  to  his  heart.  Nor,  perhaps,  would  some  of  the  other 
personages  who  figure  in  the  tale  be  precisely  the  models 
which  his  contemporaries  would  gladly  accept  for  themselves. 
Let  us  grant,  by  all  means,  that  Frank  Mildmay  is  not  Frederick 
Marryat,  and  that  the  officers  and  messmates  with  whom  he 
was  brought  into  contact  are  not  literally  and  precisely  the 
comrades  of  the  author's  youthful  years.  The  incidents,  how- 
ever, remain,  whatever  else  we  take  away,  and  "  The  Adven- 
tures of  a  Naval  Officer  "  is  full  of  the  experience  which  was 
gained  by  the  spirited  young  midshipman  on  board  the 
under  Captain  Lord  Cochrane,  afterwards  Earl  of 
v 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

Dundonald.  Marryat  had  run  away  three  times  from  school 
before  he  attained  his  ambition,  and  was  allowed  to  go  to  sea. 
His  father,  Joseph  Marryat,  a  prosperous  man,  who  was  M.P. 
for  Sandwich  and  chairman  of  the  committee  of  Lloyds,  does 
not  seem  to  have  been  a  very  sympathetic  parent,  and  the 
youth's  schooldays,  so  far  as  we  can  judge  from  the  allusions 
to  school  life  in  the  novels,  were  anything  but  happy.  It 
was  in  September  1806  that  he  gained  his  proud  position  on 
the  quarter-deck  of  the  frigate  Imperieuse,  and  he  was  then 
fourteen  years  old. 

For  the  purposes  of  a  general  introduction  the  early  life  of 
Marryat  is  all  that  is  of  real  consequence— from  the  age  of 
fourteen  to  the  age  of  thirty-four,  when  he  became  a  post- 
captain,  and  was  given  the  Companionship  of  the  Bath.  The 
later  period,  to  the  time  of  his  death  m  1 848,  is  by  no  means 
so  pleasant  to  contemplate.  It  is  full  of  restlessness  and 
discontent,  chequered  by  not  a  few  disasters-  and  illnesses,  and 
embittered  by  more  than  an  occasional  want  of  money.  He 
was  producing  book  after  book  with  magnificent  prodigality, 
and  he  was  enjoying  the  summer  tide  of  his  popularity,  but 
the  materials  which  made  his  literary  productiveness  possible 
were  all,  or  nearly  all,  amassed  in  the  earlier  part  of  his  career, 
and  such  happiness  and  contentment  as  came  in  his  way  were 
enjoyed  in  his  early  manhood.  The  first  voyages  under 
Cochrane  are  in  themselves  a  romance  of  the  ocean.  Entering 
the  navy  at  a  time  when,  from  Trafalgar  onwards,  it  was  for 
the  rest  of  the  great  war  with  France  the  acknowledged 
mistress  of  the  sea,  Marryat  was  equally  fortunate  in  his 
ship  and  his  commander.  The  Imperieuse  was  one  of  the 
smartest  frigates  afloat,  and  Lord  Cochrane  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  of  English  officers.  "  Mr.  Midshipman  Easy," 
"Peter  Simple,"  "Frank  Mildmay,"  "The  King's  Own" 
are  full  of  the  English  Channel,  and  the  Mediterranean,  the 
coasts  of  France  and  Spain,  and  America  and  the  West  Indies. 
It  was  under  Cochrane,  and  afterwards  in  the  Molus,  the 
Spartan,  the  Espiegle,  the  Beaver,  and  the  Rosario,  that  all 
vi 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

the  wonderful  experiences  were  gained  which  were  turned 
subsequently  to  such  excellent  account.  On  September  30th, 
1811,  the  JEolus  was,  during  a  furious  gale  of  wind,  laid  on  her 
beam-ends,  with  top-masts  and  mizen-masts  blown  away,  and 
Marryat  succeeded  in  the  perilous  bisk  of  cutting  away  the 
main-yard.  The  incident  is  retold  in  the  pages  of  "  Frank 
Mildmay."  The  tremendous  shipwreck  in  "  The  King's 
Own  "  is  also  a  fragment  of  real  history,  of  which  Lord 
Exmouth  was  the  hero.  So  it  is  with  a  host  of  other  inci- 
dents, such  as  the  defence  of  Rosas  on  the  Spanish  coast  in 
the  Peninsular  War,  the  capture  of  the  privateer  in  Almeria 
Bay,  the  accident  by  which  Marryat  was  knocked  down  by 
the  body  of  the  first  lieutenant  in  front  of  him  in  a  boarding 
atfray  and  very  nearly  killed  by  the  trampling  feet  of  his 
followers,  and  many  other  exploits  and  misfortunes  too 
numerous  to  mention.  The  future  novelist  had  a  retentive 
memory  and  a  quick  eye  for  useful  incidents.  If  the  lines  of 
his  early  life  had  fallen  in  other  places,  he  might  still  have 
been  a  novelist,  for  the  writing  propensity  was  very  strong 
within  him :  but  assuredly  his  novels  would  have  been  very 
different. 

It  will  be  as  well,  perhaps,  in  however  cursory  a  fashion, 
to  enumerate  some  of  these  earlier  voyages,  on  which  so 
much  depends.  Not  much  is  to  be  said  about  the  first 
expedition  under  Lord  Cochrane,  which  began  at  the  end 
of  1 806,  except  that  the  frigate  was  very  nearly  wrecked  off 
Ushant,  and  that  the  cruise  was  confined  to  the  French 
coast.  In  the  second,  in  September  of  the  next  year,  the 
Imperieuse  joined  Lord  Collingwood's  fleet  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean, and  Marryat  gained  a  good  deal  of  that  experience 
at  Malta  which  he  was  afterwards  to  utilise  in  the  historv 
of  Mr.  Midshipman  Easy.  From  Malta  the  frigate  went  to 
Corsica,  where  a  dashing  action  took  place  with  a  Maltese 
privateer :  thence  to  Toulon,  back  again  to  the  Ionian  Islands, 
and  finally  home.  The  third  of  Cochrane's  expeditions  began 
early  in  1808,  when  the  Imperieuse  was  on  service  off  the 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

coast  of  Spain,  and  saw  many  brilliant  operations  during  the 
continuance  of  the  Peninsular  War.  Let  it  not  be  forgotten 
that  his  captain  made  an  extraordinary  impression  on  the 
young  novelist's  mind.  Lord  Cochrane  was  not  perhaps 
the  most  ideal  of  men,  so  far  as  his  relations  to  Parliament 
and  the  Admiralty  were  concerned,  but  he  was  at  his  best 
on  the  quarter-deck.  Marryat  has  drawn  him  at  least  twice, 

as  Captain  M in  "The  King's  Own,"  and  Captain  Savage 

of  the  Diomede  in  "  Peter  Simple."  What  especially  struck 
him  was  the  combination  of  daring  with  judgment,  ^dauntless 
heroism  united  with  the  most  scrupulous  care  for  human 
life.  As  soon  as  Cochrane  was  superseded  from  the  Im- 
perleuse,  Marryat  went  through  a  number  of  naval  adventures 
under  other  captains,  in  the  course  of  which  he  made  ac- 
quaintance with  the  eastern  coast  of  America,  Barbadoes, 
and  the  West  Indies.  The  only  important  event  to  chronicle 
is  the  proof  of  a  constitutional  weakness  which  subsequently 
was  fatal  to  him.  In  1813,  while  serving  in  L'Espiegle  on 
the  north  coast  of  South  America,  he  was  invalided  home, 
owing  to  the  breaking  of  a  bloodvessel,  a  misfortune  which 
occurred  to  him  a  good  many  times  in  his  subsequent  career 
until  the  end  came  in  1848. 

For  many  reasons  the  years  which  elapsed  from  1815 
onwards  may  be  passed  over  with  but  slight  mention.  After 
a  marriage  with  Miss  Shairp,  in  January  1819,  he  was  on 
guard  duty  at  St.  Helena,  at  the  time  when  Napoleon  was 
looking  forward  to  the  end  of  his  last  imprisonment.  In 
the  Rosario,  it  was  his  business  to  cruise  for  smugglers.  He 
made  no  little  use  of  the  knowledge  he  thus  acquired  in  his 
picture  of  M'Elvina  and  Captain  Debriseau  in  "The  King's 
Own."  The  Burmese  War,  in  1824  and  1825,  afforded  many 
opportunities  for  distinction,  as  a  result  of  which  he  gained 
post  rank  and  a  C.B.  But  in  1830  he  resigned  the  command 
of  the  Ariadne,  his  last  ship,  and  thenceforward  devoted 
himself  to  literature  and  the  management  of  his  private 
affairs.  He  was  far  more  successful,  however,  as  a  novelist 
viii 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

than  as  a  man  of  business.  Whether  in  Sussex  House, 
Hammersmith,  or  at  Langham  in  Norfolk,  he  seems  steadily 
to  have  lost  money — partly  owing  to  the  failure  of  a  property 
in  the  West  Indies — but  his  books  brought  him  in  large 
sums,  and  his  industry  was  enormous.  From  1830  to  1837, 
when  he  went  on  a  visit  to  America,  he  had  produced  ten 
stories — "Frank  Mildmay,"  "The  King's  Own,"  ''Newton 
Forster,"  "Peter  Simple,"  "Jacob  Faithful,"  "The  Pacha  of 
Many  Tales,"  "  Mr.  Midshipman  Easy,"  "  Japhet  in  Search 
of  a  Father,"  "The  Pirate  and  the  Three  Cutters,"  and 
"  Snarlevyow,"  besides  two  technical  works, — one  on  the 
Abolition  of  Impressment,  the  other  a  detailed  scheme  for 
a  new  code  of  signals.  The  tour  in  Canada  and  in  the 
United  States  led  to  the  publication  of  "  A  Diary  in  America," 
hardly  a  successful  venture,  and  an  admirable  story  on  the 
Old  Vanderdecken  legend,  entitled  "The  Phantom  Ship'." 
But  none  of  the  later  stories,  evan  including  "  Masterman 
Ready,"  can  be  compared  with  those  issued  between  1830 
and  1837,  most  of  which  saw  the  light  in  the  Metropolitan 
Magazine,  of  which  Marryat  was  for  some  time  editor. 
"  Masterman  Ready  "  is,  in  reality,  the  first  of  a  new  depart- 
ment of  b'terature — books  for  children,  to  which  the  author 
now  began  to  devote  himself.  Marryat  was  at  Langham 
when  he  poured  out,  in  rapid  succession,  "  The  Travels  and 
Adventures  of  Monsieur  Violet,"  "  The  Settlers  in  Canada," 
"The  Mission,"  "The  Children  of  the  New  Forest,"  and 
"The  Little  Savage."  "Valerie"  seems  to  have  been 
written  while  he  was  dying.  His  actual  demise  was  un- 
doubtedly hastened  by  the  sad  news  of  the  loss  of  his  son, 
Lieutenant  Frederic  Marryat,  who  perished  in  the  wreck 
of  the  Avenger  in  the  Mediterranean.  Our  author  himself 
passed  away  quietly  in  the  early  morning  of  August  9,  1848. 

Marryat's  character  is  not  difficult  to  estimate,  despite  the 
scantiness  of  the  records.     His  daughter,  who  gives  us  the 
best  picture  of  him,  neither  disguises  his  points  of  weak- 
ness nor  ignores  his  true  strength.     Like  his  old  commander, 
is 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

Lord  Cochrane,  Captain  Marryat  is  obviously  at  his  best  on 
board  ship ;  if  these  naval  heroes  are  put  on  shore,  they  are 
apt  to  exhibit  a  certain  explosiveness  of  temperament  which 
does  not  always  accord  with  the  best  traditions  of  civilised 
society,  and  which  sometimes  prevents  them  from  gaining 
that  general  consideration  which  is  their  clue.  Captain 
Marryat  had  his  fair  share  of  squabbles,  literary  and  personal, 
and  he  behaved  throughout  ,  them  with  a  spirit  a  little 
too  cavalier  to  be  called  Christian.  We  need  not  trouble 
ourselves  with  incidents  which  are  of  no  value  except  to 
the  picker-up  of  unconsidered  trifles.  It  is  more  pleasant 
to  notice  that  in  his  own  home,  and  by  his  own  children, 
our  author  was  a  good  deal  more  adored  than  feared.  He 
had  that  sublime  impolicy  in  the  management  of  his  family 
which  is  often  more  successful  than  practical  common-sense 
would  suppose.  With  a  great  parade  of  punitive  severity, 
he  betrayed  an  engaging  amount  of  paternal  weakness.  At 
the  termination  of  each  week  at  Langham  it  was  his  habit  to 
interview  his  children,  accompanied  by  their  governess,  in 
order  to  receive,  with  such  solemnity  as  he  could  muster,  the 
seven  days'  report  of  conduct  and  diligence.  The  unco  guid 
received  a  prize  for  obvious  reasons  ;  the  desperately  naughty 
also  received  a  prize  in  order  to  tempt  them  to  be  better, 
and,  lastly,  the  governess  herself  received  a  prize,  in  order 
that  her  criticism  on  this  equivocal  justice  might  be  fore-- 
stalled. Of  course  they  all  loved  him,  although  they  reserved 
to  themselves  a  certain  liberty  of  judgment.  If  a  child  had 
torn  its  dress,  the -culprit  went  as  a  matter  of  course  to  the 
father,  who,  on  one  occasion  at  all  events,  tore  off  the  major 
portion  of  the  skirt  in  order  to  take  upon  his  own  shoulders 
the  blame  for  the  misdeed.  When  a  character  of  this  descrip- 
tion has  to  manage  an  estate  in  Norfolk,  the  receipts  are  not 
likely  to  be  excessive ;  but  the  man  himself  is  sure  to  be 
remembered,  not  only  by  his  tenants  and  retainers,  but  also 
by  the  ex-poachers  whom  he  converted  into  gamekeepers. 
It  is  pleasant  to  remember  such  traits  as  these,  because 
x 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

they  give  us  the  right  standpoint  from  which  to  estimate 
Captain  Marryat's  literary  work.  It  is  not  probable  that  such 
a  nature  could  be  in  the  truest  sense  either  artistic  or  literary. 
Of  all  that  goes  to  the  formation  of  a  plot,  of  constructive 
and  technical  ability,  Captain  Marry  at  had  but  Little  share  ; 
as  a  rule  his  novels  go  on,  as  it  were,  of  their  own  accord, 
the  incidents  succeeding  each  other  in  prodigal  variety,  the 
dramatis  personce  coming  on  and  off  the  scene  without  any 
particular  attention  to  the  rules  of  the  game.  Of  all  his 
books  perhaps  two,  "  The  King's  Own  "  and  "  Snarleyyow," 
are  the  only  ones  which  betray  that  preliminary  labour  of 
involution  which  ought  to  precede  the  evolution  of  the  story. 
There  is  a  plot  undoubtedly  in  "  The  King's  Own,"  and  there 
is  some  good  construction  in  "  Snarleyyow ; "  the  rest  are 
flying  pages,  torn  from  a  naval  officer's  journal,  written 
currente  calamo,  as  opportunity  and  the  pressing  necessity  for 
money  dictated.  On  the  other  hand,  because  Captain  Marryat 
was  universally  popular,  he  would  be  almost  sure  to  sympathise 
with  and  understand  very  different  varieties  of  character. 
Next  to  Dickens,  he  has  drawn  men  who  live  in  the  national 
memory.  Every  schoolboy — at  all  events,  every  schoolboy  of 
thirty  'years  ago — knows,  as  if  they  were  his  own  familiar 
friends,  Mr.  Midshipman  Easy,  Terence  O'Brien,  Equality 
Jack,  and  the  immortal  Mr.  Chucks. 

The  sense  of  fun  is  more  obvious  in  these  novels  than  the 
rarer  and  more  lasting  gift  of  humour.  Pages  could  be  quoted 
to  prove  the  author's  own  enjoyment  in  his  creations,  and  in 
those  incidents  where  they  figure.  Mr.  Easy  and  his  reliance 
on  the  articles  of  war,  quoted  by  Mr.  David  Hannay  in  his 
admirable  little  memoir  of  Frederick  Marryat,  form  an  obvious 
instance.  Apart  from  this,  however,  which  after  all  is  due 
rather  to  an  exuberant  temperament  than  to  those  qualities 
we  look  for  in  a  novelist,  there  is  a  simple  straightforward 
power  of  description  which  cannot  be  overpraised.  It  is  of 
course  true  that  Marryat  worked  up  his  own  experience  into 
graphic  and  descriptive  scenes ;  but  they  never  show  signs  of 


GENERAL  INTRODUCTION 

excessive  elaboration,  they  are  never  strained  or  theatrical, 
and  the  effect  is  due  rather  to  a  few  subtle  touches  than  to 
the  conscious  desire  to  write  purple  passages.  The  club- 
hauling  of  the  Diomede  in  "  Peter  Simple,"  the  fight  between 
the  Aurora  and  the  Trident  in  "Midshipman  Easy,"  the 
account  of  the  hurricane  on  the  coast  of  S.  Pierre,  once 
more  in  "  Peter  Simple,"  and  the  destruction  of  the  French 
ship  at  the  end  of  "The  King's  Own,"  are  all  admirable 
examples  of  a  skill  which,  because  it  is  apparently  so  easy, 
is  not  the  less  worthy  of  praise.  What  one  lacks  in  Captain 
Marryat  is  not  the  narrative  ability,  but  the  poetic  sense. 
There  is  little  or  no  suggestion  of  that  terror  and  mystery 
of  the  sea  which  are  sometimes  found  in  Victor  Hugo  and  in 
the  "  Pecheur  d'Islande  "  of  Pierre  Loti. 

We  must  not,  however,  ask  from  this  novelist  more  than  he 
could  give  us,  and  he  has  given  us  so  much,  that  ingratitude 
would  be  particularly  base.  As  compared,  for  instance,  with 
Fenimore  Cooper,  we  see  at  once  his  advantage,  and  although 
Mr.  Clark  Russell  has  written  one  book,  "  The  Wreck  of  the 
Grosvenor,"  which  is  worthy  to  stand  with  Marryat's  novels, 
on  the  whole  he  is  a  lesser  artist.  We  need  not  concern  our- 
selves with  the  depreciative  criticism,  either  of  Carlyle,  who 
seems  to  have  written  of  him  under  an  access  of  bile,  or  of 
Edgar  Allan  Poe,  who  declared  that  his  ideas  were  essentially 
mediocre,  and  the  common  property  of  the  mob.  Washington 
Irving,  Christopher  North,  Lockhart,  and  Thackeray,  all  in 
their  various  ways  did  him  justice.  In  the  history  of  English 
literature  it  is  the  glory  of  Captain  Marryat  to  stand  half-way 
between  Smollett  and  Dickens,  inferior,  it  is  true,  to  either 
writer,  lout  still  worthily  handing  on  a  tradition,  and  inaugu- 
rating in  his  chivalry  of  the  ocean  "a  new  region,"  as 
Washington  Irving  said,  "  of  fiction  and  romance." 

W.  L,  COURTNEY. 

January  1896. 

xii 


INTRODUCTION 

ALTHOUGH  Captain  Marryat's  first  appearance  in  the 
world  of  fiction  was  signalised  by  the  publication  in  1 829  of 
"  The  Adventures  of  a  Naval  Officer,  or  Frank  Mildmay,"  there 
seems  no  reason  to  doubt  that  "  The  King's  Own "  was 
composed  at  an  earlier  date.  It  was  originally  produced  in 
the  Metropolitan  Magazine  at  a  time  when  the  author  was 
getting  all  that  he  conld  for  thoroughly  hard  and  conscien- 
tious work,  at  the  remuneration  of  £16  a  sheet — very  fair 
magazine  pay.  He  was  offered  the  editorship  about  this 
period  of  a  new  Radical  review  designed  on  the  lines  of 
the  United  Service  Journal,  but  Mr.  Bentley's  proposals  in 
this  direction  were  rejected  for  the  editorship  of  the  Metro- 
politan, which  he  assumed  in  1832,  and  in  which  for  four  or 
five  years  after  this  date  he  allowed  the  major  part  of  his 
work  to  appear.  At  what  precise  time  of  his  life  he  wrote 
"  The  King's  Own "  it  is  difficult  to  say,  but  there  are  one 
or  two  bits  of  personal  history  in  the  story  which  appear  to 
prove  that  he  was  at  the  time  on  active  service.  In  Chapter 
xxii.,  for  instance,  he  says,  "  I  am  seated  in  the  after-cabin 
of  a  vessel  endowed  with  as  liberal  a  share  of  motion  as  any 
in  his  Majesty's  service.  Whilst  I  write,  I  am  holding  On  by 
the  table,  my  legs  entwined  in  the  lashings  underneath,  and 
I  can  barely  manage  to  keep  my  position  before  my  manu- 
script." The  rest  of  the  passage  is  interesting,  because  it 
explains  what  it  was  that  induced  the  youthful  Marryat  to  go 
to  sea.  "  It  was  not  to  escape  the  drudgery  and  confinement 
of  a  school,  or  the  admonitions  received  at  home.  The 
battle  of  Trafalgar  had  been  fought."  After  witnessing  the 
xiii 


INTRODUCTION 

funeral  procession  of  Lord  Nelson  the  author  determined 
that  he  too  would,  if  possible,  be  buried  in  the  same  manner ; 
death  could  have  no  terrors  if  followed  by  so  gorgeous  a  re- 
compense. "I  had  no  idea  at  that  time,"  he  adds,  "that  it  was 
such  a  terrible  roundabout  way  to  St.  Paul's.  Here  I  have 
been  tossed  about  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe  for  between 
twenty  and  five-and-twenty  years,  and  the  dome  is  almost  as 
distant  as  ever.  I  mean  to  put  up  with  the  family  vault; 
but  I  should  like  very  much  to  have  engraved  on  my  coffin, 
'  Many  years  Commissioner,'  or  '  Lord  of  the  Admiralty,'  or 
'  Governor  of  Greenwich  Hospital,'  '  Ambassador,'  '  Privy 
Councillor,'  or,  in  fact,  anything  but  Captain ;  for  though  ac- 
knowledged to  be  a  good  travelling  name,  it  is  a  very  insigni- 
ficant title  at  the  end  of  our  journey."  As  Captain  Marryat 
went  to  sea  in  1 806,  from  twenty  to  twenty-five  years  gives  us 
somewhere  about  1828  for  the  composition  of  this  story. 

As  distinguished  from  the  other  novels,  with  the  possible 
exception  of  "  Snarleyyow,"  "  The  King's  Own  "  has  a  definite 
plot — a  tolerably  obvious  one,  it  is  true,  but  evidently  thought 
out,  and,  in  his  nai've  way,  acknowledged  by  the  author 
towai'ds  the  end  of  the  book  us  a  good  subject  for  a  novel. 
But  the  boy  who  has  imprinted  on  his  shoulder  the  broad 
arrow  which  designates  him  for  the  king's  service,  and  who  is 
the  heir  to  a  large  estate,  is  more  the  nominal  than  the  real 
hero.  William  Seymour  is,  in  truth,  a  somewhat  colourless 
young  man,  and,  as  is  the  customary  rule  in  Marryat's  novels, 
the  main  interest  lies  in  the  picturesque  incidents  and  in  the 
studies  of  character  so  plentifully  besprinkled  over  his  pages. 
More  than  once  Marryat  protests  against  the  idea  that  he  is 
describing  acquaintances  of  his  own,  yet  there  must  be  a  good 

deal  of  Cochrane  in  Captain  M of  the  Aspasia,  and  it 

is  difficult  to  conceive  that  a  man  like  Captain  Capperbar  was 
otherwise  than  a  caricature  of  some  well-known  personage. 
M'Elvina  and  Debriseau  were  obviously  suggested  by  Marryat's 
own  experiences  of  smugglers.  There  is  a  long  passage  in 
Chapter  ixv  containing  notes  about  the  smuggling  trade 


INTRODUCTION 

between  the  port  of  Cherbourg  and  the  English  coast 
Our  author  is  fond  of  these  little  disquisitions :  he  gives 
us,  for  instance,  an  essay  on  the  way  in  which  Sunday  is 
kept  on  board  ship,  as  well  as  on  the  various  kinds  of 
courage,  which  remind  us  not  so  much  of  the  practised 
novelist  as  of  the  thoughtful  amateur.  But  there  is  perhaps 
only  one  chapter  which  clearly  conveys  the  suggestion  that 
"  The  King's  Own  "  appeared  serially  in  a  magazine.  Chapter 
xxxvii.  has  absolutely  nothing  whatsoever  to  do  with  the 
story,  and  looks  as  if  that  <£l6  a  sheet,  which  was  the  rate 
of  emolument,  was  a  consideration  of  no  little  importance. 
Here  is  the  apology :  "  It's  a  very  awkward  position  to  have 
to  write  a  chapter  of  sixteen  pages  without  materials  for  more 
than  two ;  at  least  I  find  it  so  ; "  or  again,  "  I  think  I  hear  the 
reader  say,  '  All  this  may  be  very  true,  but  what  has  it  to  do 
with  the  novel  ? '  Nothing,  I  grant,  but  it  has  a  great  deal  to 
do  with  making  a  book,  for  I  have  completed  a  whole  chapter 
out  of  nothing." 

The  most  celebrated  passage  in  the  work  is  without  doubt 
the  description  of  the  terrible  sea-fight  in  the  midst  of  a 
raging  storm  between  the  Aspasia  and  a  French  ship,  which 
occupies  Chapters  li.-liv.  It  is  an  extremely  vivid  piece 
of  description,  written  with  all  that  easy  mastery  of  his 
facts  which  so  practised  a  seaman  had  at  his  command.  It 
is  not  pure  invention,  however ;  it  is  a  highly  elaborated 
version  of  a  historical  event,  of  which  the  hero  was  Edward 
Pellew,  Viscount  Exmouth.  Pellew  was  in  command  of 
the  Indefatigable  in  company  with  another  frigate,  the  Amazon, 
when,  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  13th  January  1797,  he 
fell  in  with  the  French  74-gun  ship,  Droits  de  1'Homme, 
belonging  to  the  fleet  which  had  sailed  out  of  French  har- 
bours December  16,  1796,  and  had  been  dispersed  on  the 
Irish  coast.  A  furious  gale  was  blowing  at  the  time,  and  the 
Droits  de  IHomme,  with  her  fore  and  main  topmasts  carried 
away,  rolled  so  heavily  that  she  could  not  open  her  lower 
deck  ports.  All  through  the  night  the  two  frigates  and  the 


INTRODUCTION 

French  vessel  waged  furious  battle  in  the  midst  of  a  hurri- 
cane. Just  before  daybreak  the  scene  of  the  conflict  was  in 
Audierne  Bay,  the'wind  blowing  dead  on  shore  and  a  heavy 
sea  rolling  in.  Pellew's  frigate,  the  Indefatigable,  succeeded  in 
beating  out  of  the  Bay,  the  Amazon  and  the  Droits  de  I'Homme 
both  struck  on  the  rocks  on  the  morning  of  the  14th  of 
January.  The  loss  of  life,  according  to  Professor  Laughton, 
who  has  narrated  the  incident,  was  differently  stated  in  the 
English  and  French  accounts.  According  to  the  latter,  there 
were  on  board  the  Droits  de  I'Homme  1280  men,  of  whom 
960  were  saved,  103  killed  by  the  frigates'  fire,  and  217  lost 
in  the  wreck.  The  English  account  is  probably  exaggerated, 
for  it  declares  that  out  of  1750  on  board,  1350  Frenchmen 
were  lost.  Captain  Marryat,  it  will  be  observed,  makes  his 
combatants  wrecked  on  the  Irish  coast  in  very  similar  fashion, 
although  in  his  pages  the  fight  is  a  duel,  and  not  a  triangular 
combat. 

When  "The  King's  Own  "  appeared,  there  was  a  remarkable 
unanimity  in  praise  of  Captain  Marryat's  literary  achievement. 
It  was  published  in  three  volumes  post-octavo  in  1830.  The 
Edinburgh  Review  called  it  an  excellent  novel,  the  United 
Service  Magazine  declared  that  the  author  might  take  his 
place  at  the  head  of  the  naval  novelists  of  the  day.  The 
Spectator  was  still  more  enthusiastic :  "  The  King's  Own,"  it 
said,  "  is  perhaps  not  to  be  equalled  in  the  whole  round  of 
romance."  Certainly  it  deserves  to  be  classed  amongst 
Marryat's  best  works;  but  its  popularity  has  not  been  as  great 
as  that  of  "  Peter  Simple/'  "  Mr.  Midshipman  Easy,"  and 
"  Snarleyyow." 

W.  L.  COURTNEY. 

January  1896. 


xvi 


THE    KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  I 

However  boldly  their  warm  blood  was  spilt, 
Their  life  was  shame,  their  epitaph  was  gnilt ; 
And  this  they  knew  and  felt,  at  least  the  one, 
The  leader  of  the  band  he  had  undone, — 
Who,  born  for  bette~  things,  had  madly  set 
His  life  upon  a  cast,  which  lingerd  yet. 

BYBOX. 

_L  HERE  is  perhaps  no  event  in  the  annals  of  our  history 
which  excited  more  alarm  at  the  time  of  its  occurrence,  or 
has  since  been  the  subject  of  more  general  interest,  than  the 
Mutiny  at  the  Nore  in  the  year  179".  Forty  thousand  men, 
to  whom  the  nation  looked  for  defence  from  its  surround- 
ing enemies,  and  in  steadfast  reliance  upon  whose  bravery  it 
lay  down  every  night  in  tranquillity, — men  who  had  dared 
everything  for  their  king  and  country,  and  in  whose  breasts 
patriotism,  although  suppressed  for  the  time,  could  never  be 
extinguished, — irritated  by  ungrateful  neglect  on  the  one 
hand,  and  by  seditious  advisers  on  the  other,  turned  the  guns 
which  they  had  so  often  manned  in  defence  of  the  Eng- 
lish flag  against  their  own  countrymen  and  their  own  home, 
and,  with  all  the  acrimony  of  feeling  ever  attending  family 
quarrels,  seemed  determined  to  sacrifice  the  nation  and  them- 
selves, rather  than  listen  to  the  dictates  of  reason  and  of 
conscience. 

Doubtless  there  is  a  point  at  which  endurance  of  oppres- 
sion ceases  to  be  a  virtue,  and  rebellion  can  no  longer  be 
considered  as  a  crime ;  but  it  is  a  dangerous  and  intricate 
problem,  the  solution  of  which  had  better  not  be  attempted. 
It  must,  however,  be  acknowledged  that  the  seamen,  on  the 
1  A 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

occasion  of  the  first  mutiny,  had  just  grounds  of  complaint, 
and  that  they  did  not  proceed  to  acts  of  violence  until  re- 
peated and  humble  remonstrance  had  been  made  in  vain. 

Whether  we  act  in  a  body  or  individually,  such  is  the 
infirmity  and  selfishness  of  human  nature,  that  we  often  sur- 
render to  importunity  that  which  we  refuse  to  the  dictates  of 
gratitude, — yielding,  for  our  own  comfort,  to  the  demands 
of  turbulence,  while  quiet  unpretending  merit  is  overlooked 
and  oppressed,  until,  roused  by  neglect,  it  demands  as  a  right 
what  policy  alone  should  have  granted  as  a  favour. 

Such  was  the  behaviour,  on  the  part  of  Government,  which 
produced  the  mutiny  at  the  Nore. 

What  mechanism  is  more  complex  than  the  mind  of  man  ? 
And  as,  in  all  machinery,  there  are  wheels  and  springs  of 
action  not  apparent  without  close  examination  of  the  interior, 
so  pride,  ambition,  avarice,  love,  play  alternately  or  con- 
jointly upon  the  human  mind,  which,  under  their  influence, 
is  whirled  round  like  the  weathercock  in  the  hurricane,  only 
pointing  for  a  short  time  in  one  direction,  but  for  that  time 
steadfastly.  How  difficult,  then,  to  analyse  the  motives  and 
inducements  which  actuated  the  several  ringleaders  in  this 
dreadful  crisis  ! 

Let  us,  therefore,  confine  ourselves  to  what  we  do  really 
know  to  have  been  the  origin  of  discontent  in  one  of  these 
men,  whose  unfortunate  career  is  intimately  connected  with 
this  history. 

Edward  Peters  was  a  man  of  talent  and  education.  He 

had  entered  on  board  the in  a  fit  of  desperation,  to  obtain 

the  bounty  for  a  present  support,  and  his  pay  as  a  future  pro- 
vision for  his  wife  and  an  only  child,  the  fruit  of  a  hasty  and 
unfortunate  marriage.  He  was  soon  distinguished  as  a  person 
of  superior  attainments ;  and  instead  of  being  employed,  as  a 
landsman  usually  is,  in  the  afterguard  or  waist  of  the  ship, 
he  was  placed  under  the  orders  of  the  purser  and  captain's 
clerk  as  an  amanuensis.  In  this  capacity  he  remained  two 
or  three  years,  approved  of  and  treateS  with  unusual  respect 
by  the  officers,  for  his  gentlemanlike  appearance  and  be- 
haviour: but  unfortunately  a  theft  had  been  committed, — 
a  watch,  of  trifling  value,  had  been  purloined  from  the 
purser's  cabin ;  and  as  he  was  the  only  person,  with  the 
exception  of  the  servant,  who  had  free  ingress  and  egress; 
2 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

suspicion  fell  upon  him — the  more  so  as,  after  every  search 
that  could  be  made  had  proved  ineffectual,  it  was  supposed 
that  the  purloined  property  hat!  been  sent  on  shore  to  be 
disposed  of  by  his  wife,  who,  with  his  child,  had  frequently 
been  permitted  to  visit  him  on  board. 

Summoned  on  the  quarter-deck  —  cross-examined,  and 
harshly  interrogated  —  called  a  scoundrel  by  the  captain 
before  conviction, — the  proud  blood  mantled  in  the  cheeks 
of  one  who,  at  that  period,  was  incapable  of  crime.  The 
blush  of  virtuous  indignation  was  construed  into  presumjv- 
tive  evidence  of  guilt.  The  captain, — a  superficial,  presum- 
ing, pompous,  yet  cowardly  creature,  whose  conduct  assisted 
in  no  small  degree  to  excite  the  mutiny  on  board  of  his  own 
ship, — declared  himself  quite  convinced  of  Peters's  guilt,  be- 
cause he  blushed  at  the  bare  idea  of  being  suspected;  and 
punishment  ensued,  with  all  the  degradation  allotted  to  an 
offence  which  is  never  forgiven  on  board  of  a  man-of-war. 

There  is,  perhaps,  no  crime  that  is  attended  with  such 
serious  consequences  on  board  a  ship  as  theft,  A  succession 
of  thefts  undiscovered  will  disintegrate  a  ship's  company, 
break  up  the  messes,  destroy  all  confidence  and  harmony, 
and  occasion  those  who  have  been  the  dearest  friends  to 
become  the  greatest  enemies  :  for  whom  can  a  person  suspect. 
when  he  has  lost  his  property,  in  so  confined  a  space,  but 
those  who  were  acquainted  with  its  being  in  his  possession, 
and  with  the  place  in  which  it  was  deposited  ? — and  who 
are  these  but  his  own  messmates,  or  those  in  whom  he  most 
confided  ?  After  positive  conviction,  no  punishment  can  be 
too  severe  for  a  crime  that  produces  such  mischief;  but  to 
degrade  a  man  by  corporal  punishment,  to  ruin  his  character, 
and  render  him  an  object  of  abhorrence  and  contempt,  in 
the  absence  of  even  bare  presumptive  evidence,  was  an  act 
of  cruelty  and  injustice,  which  could  excite  but  one  feeling : 
and,  from  that  day,  the  man  who  would  have  gloried  in 
dying  for  his  country,  became  a  discontented,  gloomy,  and 
dangerous  subject 

The  above  effect  would  have  been  produced  in  any  man  : 
but  to  Peters,  whose  previous  history  we  have  yet  to  narrate, 
death  itself  would  have  been  preferable.  His  heart  did  not 
break,  but  it  swelled  with  contending  passions,  till  it  was 
burst  and  riven  with  wounds  never  to  be  cicatrised.  Suffering 
3 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

under  the  most  painful  burthen  that  can  oppress  a  man  who 
values  reputation,  writning  with  the  injustice  of  accusation 
when  innocent,  of  conviction  without  proof,  and  of  punishment 
unmerited,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at  that  Peters  took  the 
earliest  opportunity  of  deserting  from  the  ship. 

There  is  a  particular  feeling  pervading  animal  nature,  from 
which  man  himself  is  not  exempt.  Indeed,  with  all  his 
boasted  reason,  man  still  inherits  too  many  of  the  propen- 
sities of  the  brute  creation.  I  refer  to  that  disposition  which 
not  only  inclines  us  to  feel  satisfaction  at  finding  we  have  com- 
panions in  misfortune,  but  too  often  stimulates  us  to  increase 
the  number  by  our  own  exertions.  From  the  stupendous 
elephant,  down  to  the  smallest  of  the  feathered  tribe,  all 
will  act  as  a  decoy  to  their  own  species  when  in  captivity 
themselves ;  and,  in  all  compulsory  service,  which  may  be 
considered  a  species  of  captivity,  man  proves  that  he  is 
imbued  with  the  same  propensity.  Seamen  that  have  been 
pressed  themselves  into  the  navy  are  invariably  the  most 
active  in  pressing  others ;  and  both  soldiers  and  sailors  have 
a  secret  pleasure  in  recapturing  a  deserter,  even  at  the  very 
time  when  they  are  watching  an  opportunity  to  desert  them- 
selves. 

The  bonds  of  friendship  seem  destroyed  when  this  powerful 
and  brutal  feeling  is  called  into  action  ;  and,  as  has  frequently 
occurred  in  the  service  before  and  since,  the  man  who  was 
selected  by  Peters  as  his  most  intimate  friend,  the  man  with 
whom  he  had  consulted,  and  to  whom  he  had  confided  his 
plans  for  desertion,  gave  information  of  the  retreat  of  his 
wife  and  child,  from  which  place  Peters  was  not  likely  to 
be  very  distant;  and  thus,  with  the  assistance  of  this,  his 
clearest  friend,  the  master-at-arms  and  party  in  quest  of  him 
succeeded  in  his  capture. 

It  so  happened,  that  on  the  very  day  on  which  Peters  was 
brought  on  board  and  put  into  irons,  the  purser's  servant  was 
discovered  to  have  in  his  possession  the  watch  that  had  been 
lost.  Thus  far  the  character  of  Peters  was  reinstated  ;  and 
as  he  had  declared,  at  the  time  of  his  capture,  that  the 
unjust  punishment  which  he  had  received  had  been  the 
motive  of  his  desertion,  the  captain  was  strongly  urged  by 
the  officers  to  overlook  an  offence  which  had  everything  to 

be  offered  in  its  extenuation.  But  Captain  A was  fond 

4 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

of  courts-martial ;  he  imagined  that  they  added  to  his  con- 
sequence, which  certainly  required  to  be  upheld  by  adventi- 
tious aid.  Moreover,  the  feeling,  too  often  pervading  little 
minds,  that  of  a  dislike  taken  to  a  person  because  you  have 
injured  him,  and  the  preferring  to  accumulate  injustice  rather 
than  to  acknowledge  error,  had  more  than  due  weight  with 
this  weak  man.  A  court-martial  was  held,  and  Peters  was 
sentenced  to  death  ;  but,  in  consideration  of  circumstances, 
the  sentence  was  mitigated  to  that  of  being  "  flogged  round 
the  fleet." 

Mitigated  !  Strange  vanity  in  men,  that  they  should  ima- 
gine their  own  feelings  to  be  more  sensible  and  acute  than 
those  of  others ;  that  they  should  consider  that  a  mitiga- 
tion in  favour  of  the  prisoner,  which,  had  they  been  placed 
in  his  situation,  they  would  have  declared  an  accumulation  of 
the  punishment.  Not  a  captain  who  sat  upon  that  court- 
martial  but  would  have  considered,  as  Peters  did,  that  death 
was  by  far  the  more  lenient  sentence  of  the  two.  Yet  they 
meant  well — they  felt  kindly  towards  him,  and  acknowledged 
his  provocations ;  but  they  fell  into  the  too  common  error  of 
supposing  that  the  finer  feelings,  which  induce  a  man  to 
prefer  death  to  dishonour,  are  only  to  be  recognised  among 
the  higher  classes ;  and  that,  because  circumstances  may 
have  placed  a  man  before  the  mast,  he  will  undergo  punish- 
ment, however  severe,  however  degrading, — in  short,  every 
"  ill  that  flesh  is  heir  to," — in  preference  to  death. 

As  the  reader  may  not,  perhaps,  be  acquainted  with  the 
nature  of  the  punishment  to  which  Peters  was  sentenced, 
and  the  ceremonies  by  which  it  is  attended,  I  shall  enter 
into  a  short  description  of  it. 

A  man  sentenced  to  be  flogged  round  the  fleet  receives  an 
equal  part  of  the  whole  number  of  lashes  awarded,  alongside 
each  ship  composing  that  fleet.  For  instance,  if  sentenced 
to  three  hundred  lashes,  in  a  fleet  composed  of  ten  sail,  he 
will  receive  thirty  alongside  of  each  ship. 

A  launch  is  fitted  up  with  a  platform  and  shears.  It  is 
occupied  by  the  unfortunate  individual,  the  provost-marshal, 
the  boatswain,  and  his  mates,  with  their  implements  of  office, 
and  armed  marines  stationed  at  the  bow  and  stern.  When 
the  signal  is  made  for  punishment,  all  the  ships  in  the  fleet 
send  one  or  two  boats  each,  with  crews  cleanly  dressed,  the 
5 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

officers  in  full  uniform,  and  marines  under  arms.  These 
boats  collect  at  the  side  of  the  ship  where  the  launch  is 
lying,  the  hands  are  turned  up,  and  the  ship's  company  are 
ordered  to  mount  the  rigging,  to  witness  that  portion  of  the 
whole  punishment  which,  after  the  sentence  has  been  read, 
is  inflicted  upon  the  prisoner.  When  he  has  received  the 
allotted  number  of  lashes,  he  is,  for  the  time,  released,  and 
permitted  to  sit  down,  with  a  blanket  over  his  shoulders, 
while  the  boats,  which  attend  the  execution  of  the  sentence, 
make  fast  to  the  launch,  and  tow  it  to  the  next  ship  in  the 
fleet,  where  the  same  number  of  lashes  are  inflicted  with 
corresponding  ceremonies ; — and  thus  he  is  towed  from  one 
ship  to  another  until  he  has  received  the  whole  of  his 
punishment. 

The  severity  of  this  punishment  consists  not  only  in  the 
number  of  lashes,  but  in  the  peculiar  manner  in  which  they 
are  inflicted ;  as,  after  the  unfortunate  wretch  has  received 
the  first  part  of  his  sentence  alongside  of  one  ship,  the  blood 
is  allowed  to  congeal,  and  the  wounds  partially  to  close, 
during  the  interval  which  takes  place  previously  to  his  arrival 
alongside  of  the  next,  when  the  cat  again  subjects  him  to 
renewed  and  increased  torture.  During  the  latter  part  of 
the  punishment  the  suffering  is  dreadful ;  and  a  man  who 
has  undergone  this  sentence  is  generally  broken  down  in  con- 
stitution, if  not  in  spirits,  for  the  remainder  of  his  life. 

Such  was  the  punishment  inflicted  upon  the  unfortunate 
Peters ;  and  it  would  be  difficult  to  decide,  at  the  moment 
when  it  was  completed,  and  the  blanket  thrown  over  his. 
shoulders,  whether  the  heart  or  the  back  of  the  fainting  man 
were  the  more  lacerated  of  the  two. 

Time  can  heal  the  wounds  of  the  body,  over  which  it 
holds  its  empire  ;  but  those  of  the  soul,  like  the  soul  itself, 
spurn  his  transitory  sway. 

Peters  from  that  moment  was  a  desperate  man.  A  short 
time  after  he  had  undergone  his  sentence,  the  news  of  the 
mutiny  at  Spithead  was  communicated  ;  and  the  vacillation 
and  apprehensions  of  the  Admiralty,  and  of  the  nation  at 
large,  were  not  to  be  concealed.  This  mutiny  was  apparently 
quelled  by  conciliation  ;  but  conciliation  is  but  a  half  measure, 
and  ineffectual  when  offered  from  supei'iors  to  inferiors. 

In  this  world,  I  know  not  why,  there  seems  to  be  but  one 
6 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

seal  binding  in  all  contracts  of  magnitude — and  that  seal  is 
blood.  Without  referring  to  the  Jewish  .types,  proclaiming 
that  "all  things  were  purified  by  blood,  and  without  shed- 
ding of  blood  there  was  no  remission," — without  referring  to 
that  sublime  mystery  by  which  these  types  have  been  ful- 
filled,— it  appears  as  if,  in  all  ages  and  all  countries,  blood 
had  been  the  only  seal  of  security. 

Examine  the  records  of  history,  the  revolution  of  opinion, 
the  public  tumults,  the  warfare  for  religious  ascendency — it 
will  be  found  that,  without  this  seal,  these  were  only  lulled 
for  the  moment,  and  invariably  recommenced  until  blood  had 
made  its  appearance  as  witness  to  "the  act  and  deed." 


CHAPTER  II 

This  is  a  long  description,  but  applies 
To  scarce  five  minutes  passed  before  the  eyes ; 
But  yet  what  minutes  !     Moments  like  to  these 
Rend  men's  lives  into  immortalities. 

BYRON. 

_L  HE  mutiny  at  Spithead  was  soon  followed  up  by  that  at 
the  Nore ;  and  the  ringleader,  Parker,  like  a  meteor  darting 
through  the  firmament,  sprung  from  nothing,  coruscated, 
dazzled,  and  disappeared.  The  Texel  fleet  joined,  except  a 
few  ships,  which  the  courage  and  conduct  of  the  gallant 
old  Admiral  Duncan  preserved  from  the  contagion.  Let  me 
here  digress  a  little,  to  introduce  to  my  readers  the  speech 
made  by  this  officer  to  his  ship's  company  on  the  first 
symptoms  of  disaffection.  It  is  supposed  that  sailors  are  not 
eloquent.  I  assert  that,  with  the  exception  of  the  North 
American  Indians,  who  have  to  perfection  the  art  of  saying 
much  in  few  words,  there  are  few  people  more  eloquent 
than  sailors.  The  general  object  looked  for  in  this  world 
is  to  obtain  the  greatest  possible  effect  with  the  smallest 
power;  if  so,  the  more  simple  the  language,  the  more 
matter  is  condensed,  the  nearer  we  approach  to  perfection. 
Flourishes  and  flowers  of  rhetoric  may  be  compared  to  extra 
wheels  applied  to  a  carriage,  increasing  the  rattling  and  conv 
7 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

plexity  of  the  machine,  without  adding  to  either  the  strength 
of  its  fabric  or  the  rapidity  of  its  course. 

It  was  on  the  6th  of  June  that  the  fleet  at  the  Nore  was 
joined  by  the  Agamemnon,  Leopard,  Ardent,  and  other  ships 
which  had  separated  from  Admiral  Duncan's  fleet.  When 
the  Admiral  found  himself  deserted  by  part  of  his  own  fleet, 
he  called  his  own  ship's  crew  together,  and  addressed  them  in 
the  following  speech  : — 

"  My  lads  !  I  once  more  call  you  together  with  a  sorrowful 
heart,  owing  to  what  I  have  lately  seen,  the  disaffection  of 
the  fleets :  I  call  it  disaffection,  for  the  crews  have  no 
grievances.  To  be  deserted  by  my  fleet,  in  the  face  of  the 
enemy,  is  a  disgrace  which,  I  believe,  never  before  happened 
to  a  British  admiral ;  nor  could  I  have  supposed  it  possible. 
My  greatest  comfort  under  God  is,  that  I  have  been  sup- 
ported by  the  officers,  seamen,  and  marines  of  this  ship,  for 
which,  with  a  heai-t  overflowing  with  gratitude,  I  request  you 
to  accept  my  sincere  thanks.  I  flatter  myself  much  good 
may  result  from  your  example,  by  bringing  those  deluded 
people  to  a  sense  of  the  duty  which  they  owe,  not  only  to 
their  king  and  country,  but  to  themselves. 

"  The  British  navy  has  ever  been  the  support  of  that 
liberty  which  has  been  handed  down  to  us  by  our  ancestors, 
and  which  I  trust  we  shall  maintain  to  the  latest  posterity — 
and  that  can  only  be  done  by  unanimity  and  obedience. 
This  ship's  company,  and  others,  who  have  distinguished 
themselves  by  loyalty  and  good  order,  deserve  to  be,  and 
doubtless  will  be,  the  favourites  of  a  grateful  nation.  They 
will  also  have,  from  their  inward  feelings,  a  comfort  which 
will  be  lasting,  and  not  like  the  floating  and  false  confidence 
of  those  who  have  swerved  from  their  duty. 

"  It  has  often  been  my  pride  with  you  to  look  into  the 
Texel,  and  see  a  foe  which  dreaded  coming  out  to  meet  us. 
My  pride  is  now  humbled  indeed  !  our  cup  has  overflown,  and 
made  us  wanton — the  All-wise  Providence  has  given  us  this 
check  as  a  warning,  and  I  hope  we  shall  improve  by  it.  On 
Him,  then,  let  us  trust,  where  our  only  security  is  to  be  found. 
I  find  there  are  many  good  men  among  us  :  for  my  own  part,  I 
have  had  full  confidence  in  all  in  this  ship  ;  and  once  more 
I  beg  to  express  my  approbation  of  your  conduct. 

i:  May  God;  who  has  thus  far  conducted  you,  continue  to 
8 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

do  so  ;  and  may  the  British  navy,  the  glory  and  support  of 
our  country,  be  restored  to  its  wonted  splendour,  and  be 
not  only  the  bulwark  of  Britain,  but  the  terror  of  the 
world. 

"But  this  can  only  be  effected  by  a  strict  adherence  to 
our  duty  and  obedience ;  and  let  us  pray  that  the  Almighty 
God  may  keep  us  in  the  right  way  of  thinking. 
"  God  bless  you  all." 

At  an  address  so  unassuming,  and  so  calculated,  from  its 
simplicity  and  truth,  to  touch  the  human  heart,  the  whole 
ship's  crew  were  melted  into  tears,  and  declared  their  re- 
solution to  adhere  to  their  admiral  in  life  or  death.  Had  all 
the  ships  in  the  fleet  been  commanded  bv  such  men  as 
Admiral  Duncan,  the  mutiny  at  Spithead  would  not  have 
been  succeeded  by  that  at  the  Nore  :  but  the  seamen  had 
no  confidence,  either  in  their  officers  or  in  those  who  pre- 
sided at  the  Board  of  Admiralty  ;  and  distrust  of  then- 
promises,  which  were  considered  to  be  given  merely  to  gain 
time,  was  the  occasion  of  the  second  and  more  alarming 
rebellion  of  the  two. 

The  irritated  mind  of  Peters  was  stimulated  to  join  the 
disaffected  parties.  His  pride,  his  superior  education,  and 
the  acknowledgment  among  his  shipmates  that  he  was  an 
injured  man,  all  conspired  to  place  him  in  the  dangerous 
situation  of  ringleader  on  board  of  his  own  ship,  the  crew  of 
which,  although  it  had  not  actually  joined  in  the  mutiny,  now 
showed  open  signs  of  discontent- 
But  the  mine  was  soon  exploded  by  the  behaviour  of  the 
captain.  Alarmed  at  the  mutinous  condition  of  the  other 
ships  which  were  anchored  near  to  him  and  the  svmptoms 
of  dissatisfaction  in  his  own,  he  proceeded  to  an  act  of  un- 
justifiable severity,  evidently  impelled  by  fear,  and  not  by 
resolution.  He  ordered  several  of  the  petty  officers  and 
leading  men  of  the  ship  to  be  thrown  into  irons,  because  they 
were  seen  to  be  earnestly  talking  together  on  the  forecastle, 
— and  recollecting  that  his  conduct  towards  Peters  had  been 
such  as  to  warrant  disaffection,  he  added  him  to  the  number. 
The  effect  of  this  injudicious  step  was  immediate.  The  men 
came  aft  hi  a  body  on  the  quarter-deck,  and  requested  to 
know  the  grounds  upon  which  Peters  and  the  other  men 
had  been  placed  in  confinement;  and  perceiving  alarm  in 
9 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

the  countenance  of  the  captain,  notwithstanding  the  resolute 
bearing  of  the  officers,  they  insisted  upon  the  immediate 
release  of  their  shipmates.  Thus  the  first  overt  act  of  mutiny 
was  brought  on  by  the  misconduct  of  the  captain. 

The  officers  expostulated  and  threatened  in  vain.  Three 
cheers  were  called  for  by  a  voice  in  the  crowd,  and  three 
cheers  were  immediately  given.  The  marines,  who  still  re- 
mained true  to  their  allegiance,  had  been  ordered  under 
arms ;  the  first  lieutenant  of  the  ship — for  the  captain, 
trembling  and  confused,  stood  a  mere  cipher — gave  the  order 
for  the  ship's  company  to  go  below,  threatening  to  fire  upon 
them  if  the  order  was  not  instantaneously  obeyed.  The 
captain  of  marines  brought  his  men  to  the  "  make  ready," 
and  they  were  about  to  present,  when  the  first  lieutenant 
waved  his  hand  to  stop  the  decided  measure,  until  he  had 
first  ascertained  how  far  the  mutiny  was  general.  He  stepped 
a  few  paces  forward,  and  requested  that  every  "  blue  jacket" 
who  was  inclined  to  remain  faithful  to  his  king  arid  country 
would  walk  over  from  that  side  of  the  quarter-deck  upon 
which  the  ship's  company  were  assembled,  to  the  one  which 
was  occupied  by  the  officers  and  marines. 

A  pause  and  silence  ensued — when,  after  some  pushing 
and  elbowing  through  the  crowd,  William  Adams,  an  elderly 
quarter-master,  made  his  appearance  in  the  front,  and  passed 
over  to  the  side  where  the  officers  stood,  while  the  hisses  of 
the  rest  of  the  ship's  company  expressed  their  disapprobation 
of  his  conduct.  The  old  man  just  reached  the  other  side  of 
the  deck,  when  turning  round  like  a  lion  at  bay,  with  one 
foot  on  the  coamings  of  the  hatchway,  and  his  arm  raised  in 
the  air  to  command  attention,  he  addressed  them  in  these 
few  words  : — 

"  My  lads,  I  have  fought  for  my  king  five-and-thirty  years, 
and  have  been  too  long  in  his  service  to  turn  a  rebel  in  my 
old  age." 

Would  it  be  credited  that,  after  the  mutiny  had  been 
quelled,  no  representation  of  this  conduct  was  made  to 
Government  by  his  captain  ?  Yet  such  was  the  case,  and  such 
was  the  gratitude  of  Captain  A— . 

The  example  shown  by  Adams  was  not  followed — the  ship's 
crew  again  cheered,  and  ran  down  the  hatchways,  leaving 
the  officers  and  marines  on  deck.  They  first  disarmed  the 
10 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

sentry  under  the  half-deck,  and  released  the  prisoners,  and 
then  went  forward  to  consult  upon  further  operations. 

They  were  not  long  in  deciding.  A  boatswain's  mate,  who 
was  one  of  the  ringleaders,  piped,  "  Stand  by  hammocks  ! " 
The  men  ran  on  deck,  each  seizing  a  hammock,  and  jumping 
with  it  down  below  on  the  main-deck.  The  object  of  this 
manoeuvre  not  being  comprehended,  they  were  suffered  to 
execute  it  without  interruption.  In  a  few  minutes  they  sent 
up  the  marine  whom  they  had  disarmed  when  sentry  over 
the  prisoners,  to  state  that  they  wished  to  speak  to  the 
captain  and  officers,  who,  after  some  discussion,  agreed  that 
they  would  descend  and  hear  the  proposals  which  the  ship's 
company  should  make.  Indeed,  even  with  the  aid  of  the 
marines,  many  of  whom  were  wavering,  resistance  would  now 
have  been  useless,  and  could  only  have  cost  them  their  lives ; 
for  they  were  surrounded  by  other  ships  who  had  hoisted  the 
flag  of  insubordination,  and  whose  guns  were  trained  ready 
to  pour  in  a  destructive  fire  on  the  least  sign  of  an  attempt 
to  purchase  their  anchor.  To  the  main-deck  they  conse- 
quently repaired. 

The  scene  which  here  presented  itself  was  as  striking  as  it 
was  novel.  The  after-part  of  the  main-deck  was  occupied 
by  the  captain  and  officers,  who  had  come  down  with  the 
few  marines  who  still  continued  steadfast  to  their  duty,  and 
one  sailor  only,  Adams,  who  had  so  nobly  stated  his  deter- 
mination on  the  quarter-deck.  The  foremost  part  of  the 
deck  was  tenanted  by  a  noisy  and  tumultuous  throng  of 
seamen,  whose  heads  only  appeared  above  a  barricade  of 
hammocks,  which  they  had  formed  acioss  the  deck,  and  out 
of  which  at  two  embrasures,  admirably  constructed,  two  long 
twenty-four  pounders,  loaded  up  to  the  muzzle  with  grape 
and  canister  shot,  were  pointed  aft  in  the  direction  where  the 
officers  and  marines  were  standing — a  man  at  the  breech  of 
each  gun,  with  a  match  in  his  hand  (which  he  occasionally 
blew,  that  the  priming  powder  might  be  more  rapidly  ignited), 
stood  ready  for  the  signal  to  fire. 

The  captain,  aghast  at  the  sight,  would  have  retreated, 
but  the  officers,  formed  of  sterner  materials,  persuaded  him 
to  stay,  although  he  showed  such  evident  signs  of  fear  and 
perturbation  as  seriously  to  injure  a  cause  in  which  resolution 
and  presence  of  mind  alone  could  avail.  The  mutineers,  at 
11 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

the  suggestion  of  Peters,  had  already  sent  aft  their  pre- 
liminary proposals,  which  were,  that  the  officers  and  marines 
should  surrender  up  their  arms,  and  consider  themselves 
under  an  arrest,  intimating  at  the  same  time  that  the  first 
step  in  advance  made  by  any  one  of  their  party  would  be  the 
signal  for  applying  the  match  to  the  touch-holes  of  the  guns. 

There  was  a  pause  and  dead  silence,  as  if  it  were  a  calm, 
although  every  passion  was  roused  and  on  the  alert ;  every 
bosom  heaved  tumultuously,  and  every  pulse  was  trebled  in 
its  action.  The  same  feeling  which  so  powerfully  affects 
the  truant  schoolboy — who,  aware  of  his  offence,  and  dreading 
the  punishment  in  perspective,  can  scarce  enjoy  the  rapture 
of  momentary  emancipation — acted  upon  the  mutineers,  in 
an  increased  ratio,  proportioned  to  the  magnitude  of  their 
stake.  Some  hearts  beat  with  remembrance  of  injuries  and 
hopes  of  vengeance  and  retaliation  ;  others  with  ambition, 
long  dormant,  bursting  from  its  concealed  recess ;  and  many 
were  actuated  by  that  restlessness  which  induced  them  to 
consider  any  change  to  be  preferable  to  the  monotony  of 
existence  in  compulsory  servitude. 

Among  the  officers,  some  were  oppressed  with  anxious 
forebodings  of  evil — -those  peculiar  sensations  which,  when 
death  approaches  nearly  to  the  outward  senses,  alarm  the 
heart ;  others  experienced  no  feeling  but  that  of  manly 
fortitude  and  determination  to  die,  if  necessary,  like  men  ; 
in  others,  alas  ! — in  which  party,  small  as  it  was,  the  captain 
was  pre-eminent — fear  and  trepidation  amounted  almost  to 
the  loss  of  reason. 

Such  was  the  state  of  the  main-deck  of  the  ship  at  the 
moment  in  which  we  are  now  describing  it  to  the  reader. 

And  yet,  in  the  very  centre  of  all  this  tumult,  there  was 
one  who,  although  not  indifferent  to  the  scene  around  him, 
felt  interested  without  being  anxious,  astonished  without 
being  alarmed.  Between  the  contending  and  divided  parties, 
stood  a  little  boy,  about  six  years  old.  He  was  the  perfection 
of  childish  beauty ;  chestnut  hair  waved  in  curls  on  his  fore- 
head, health  glowed  on  his  rosy  cheeks,  dimples  sported  over 
his  face,  as  he  altered  the  expression  of  his  countenance, 
and  his  large  dark  eyes  flashed  with  intelligence  and  anima- 
tion. He  was  dressed  in  mimic  imitation  of  a  man-of-war's 
man — loose  trousers,  tightened  at  the  hips,  to  preclude  the 
12 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

necessity  of  suspenders — and  a  white  duck  frock,  with  long 
sleeves  and  blue  collar — while  a  knife,  attached  to  a  lanyard, 
was  suspended  round  his  neck  :  a  light  and  narrow-brimmed 
straw  hat  on  his  head  completed  his  attire.  At  times  he 
looked  aft  at  the  officers  and  marines ;  at  others  he  turned 
his  eyes  forward  to  the  hammocks,  behind  which  the  ship's 
company  were  assembled.  The  sight  was  new  to  him,  but 
he  was  already  accustomed  to  reflect  much,  and  to  ask  few 
questions.  Go  to  the  officers  he  did  not,  for  the  presence  of 
the  captain  restrained  him.  Go  to  the  ship's  company  he 
could  not,  for  the  barricade  of  hammocks  prevented  him. 
There  he  stood,  in  wonderment,  but  not  in  fear. 

There  was  something  beautiful  and  affecting  in  the  situa- 
tion of  the  boy ;  calm,  when  all  around  him  was  anxious 
tumult ;  thoughtless,  when  the  brains  of  others  were  oppressed 
with  the  accumulation  of  ideas ;  contented,  where  all  was  dis- 
content;  peaceful,  where  each  party  that  he  stood  between 
was  thirsting  for  each  other's  blood  : — there  he  stood,  the 
only  happy,  the  only  innocent  one,  amongst  hundreds  swayed 
by  jarring  interests  and  contending  passions. 

And  yet  he  was  in  keeping,  although  in  such  strong  con- 
trast, with  the  rest  of  the  picture;  for  where  is  the  instance 
of  the  human  mind  being  so  thoroughly  depivaved  as  not  to 
have  one  good  feeling  left  ?  Nothing  exists  so  base  and  vile 
as  not  to  have  one  redeeming  quality.  There  is  no  poison 
without  some  antidote — no  precipice,  however  barren,  with- 
out some  trace  of  verdure — no  desert,  however  vast,  without 
some  spring  to  refresh  the  parched  traveller,  some  oasis,  some 
green  spot,  which,  from  its  situation,  in  comparison  with  sur- 
rounding objects,  appears  almost  heavenly ;  and  thus  did 
the  boy  look  almost  angelic,  standing  as  he  did  between 
the  angry  exasperated  parties  on  the  main-deck  of  the  dis- 
organised ship. 

After  some  little  time  he  walked  forward,  and  leaned 
against  one  of  the  twenty-four  pounders  that  was  pointed 
out  of  the  embrasure,  the  muzzle  of  which  was  on  a  level 
with,  and  intercepted  by,  his  little  head. 

Adams,  the  quarter-master,  observing  the  dangerous  situa- 
tion of  the  child,  stepped  forward.  This  was  against  the 
stipulations  laid  down  by  the  mutineers,  and  Peters  cried 
out  to  him — "  Heave-to,  Adams,  or  we  fire  ! "  Adams  waved 
13 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

his  hand  in  expostulation,  and  continued  to  advance.  "  Keep 
back/'  again  cried  Peters,  "or,  by ,  we  fire!" 

"  Not  upon  one  old  man,  Peters,  and  he  unarmed,"  replied 
Adams ;  "  I'm  not  worth  so  much  powder  and  shot."  The 
man  at  the  gun  blew  his  match.  "  For  God's  sake,  for  your 
own  sake,  as  you  value  your  happiness  and  peace  of  mind, 
do  not  fire,  Peters!"  cried  Adams,  with  energy,  "or  you'll 
never  forgive  yourself." 

"  Hold  fast  the  match,"  said  Peters ;  "  we  need  not  fear 
one  man;"  and  as  he  said  this,  Adams  had  come  up  to  the 
muzzle  of  the  gun  and  seized  the  boy,  whom  he  snatched 
up  in  his  arms. 

"  I  only  came  forward,  Peters,  to  save  your  own  boy, 
whose  head  would  have  been  blown  to  atoms  if  you  had 
chanced  to  have  fired  the  gun,"  said  Adams,  turning  short 
round,  and  walking  aft  with  the  boy  in  his  arms. 

"  God  in  heaven  bless  you,  Adams ' "  cried  Peters,  with 
a  faltering  voice,  and  casting  a  look  of  fond  affection  at  the 
child.  The  heart  of  the  mutineer  was  at  that  moment 
softened  by  parental  feelings,  and  he  blew  the  priming  off 
the  touch-hole  of  the  gun,  lest  an  accidental  spark  should 
risk  the  life  of  his  child,  who  was  now  aft  with  the  officers 
and  their  party. 

Reader,  this  little  boy  will  be  the  hero  of  our  tale. 


CHAPTER  III 

Roused  discipline  alone  proclaims  their  cause, 
And  injured  navies  urge  their  broken  laws. 
Pursue  we  in  his  track  the  mutineer. 

BYRON. 

jyJLAN,  like  all  other  animals  of  a  gregarious  nature,  is 
more  inclined  to  follow  than  to  lead.  There  are  few  who 
are  endued  with  that  impetus  of  soul  which  prompts  them 
to  stand  foremost  as  leaders  in  the  storming  of  the  breach, 
whether  it  be  of  a  fortress  of  stone  or  the  more  dangerous 
one  of  public  opinion,  when  failure  in  the  one  case  may 
14 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

precipitate  them  on  the  sword,  and  in  the  other  consign 
them  to  the  scaffold. 

In  this  mutiny  there  were  but  few  of  the  rare  class  re- 
ferred to  above :  in  the  ship  whose  movements  we  have 
been  describing  not  one,  perhaps,  except  Peters.  There 
were  many  boisterous,  many  threatening,  but  no  one,  except 
him,  who  was  equal  to  the  command,  or  to  whom  the  command 
could  have  been  confided.  He  was,  on  board  of  his  own  ship, 
the  very  life  and  soul  of  the  mutiny.  At  the  moment  de- 
scribed at  the  end  of  the  last  chapter,  all  the  better  feelings 
of  his  still  virtuous  heart  were  in  action ;  and,  by  a  captain 
possessing  resolution  and  a  knowledge  of  human  nature, 

the  mutiny  might  have  been  suppressed  ;  but  Captain  A , 

who  perceived  the  anxiety  of  Peters,  thought  the  child 
a  prize  of  no  small  value,  and  as  Adams  brought  him  aft, 
snatched  the  boy  from  his  arms,  and  desired  two  of  the  party 
of  marines  to  turn  their  loaded  muskets  at  his  young  heart 
— thus  intimating  to  the  mutineers  that  he  would  shoot  the 
child  at  the  first  sign  of  hostility  on  their  part. 

The  two  marines  who  had  received  this  order  looked  at 
each  other  in  silence,  and  did  not  obey.  It  was  repeated  by 
the  captain,  who  considered  that  he  had  hit  upon  a  master- 
piece of  diplomacy.  The  officers  expostulated;  the  officer 
commanding  the  party  of  marines  turned  away  in  disgust ; 
but  in  vain  :  the  brutal  order  was  reiterated  with  threats. 
The  whole  party  of  marines  now  murmured,  and  consulted 
together  in  a  low  tone. 

Willy  Peters  was  the  idol  and  plaything  of  the  whole 
crew.  He  had  always  been  accustomed  to  remain  on  board 
with  his  father,  and  there  was  not  a  man  in  the  ship  who 
would  not  have  risked  his  life  to  have  saved  that  of  the  child. 
The  effect  of  this  impolitic  and  cruel  order  was  decisive. 
The  marines,  with  the  sergeant  at  their  head,  and  little  Willy 
placed  in  security  in  the  centre,  their  bayonets  directed  on 
the  defensive,  towards  the  captain  and  officers,  retreated  to 
the  mutineers,  whom  they  joined  with  three  cheers,  as  the 
child  was  lifted  over  the  barricade  of  hammocks,  and  received 
into  his  father's  arms. 

"  We  must  now  submit  to  their  terms,  sir,"  said  the  first 
lieutenant. 

"  Any  terms,  any  terms,"  answered  the  terrified  captain  : 
15 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  tell  them  so,  for  God's  sake,  or  they  will  fire.  Adams,  go 
forward  and  tell  them  we  submit." 

This  order  was,  however,  unnecessary ;  for  the  mutineers, 
aware  of  the  impossibility  of  any  further  resistance,  had 
thrown  down  the  barricade  of  hammocks,  and,  with  Peters  at 
their  head,  were  coming  aft. 

"  You  consent,  gentlemen,  to  consider  yourselves  under  an 
arrest  ?  "  inquired  Peters  of  the  first  lieutenant  and  officers, 
without  paying  any  attention  to  the  captain. 

"  We  do,  we  do,"  cried  Captain  A .  "  I  hope  you  will 

not  stain  your  hands  with  blood.  Mr.  Peters,  I  meant  the 
child  no  harm." 

"  If  you  had  murdered  him,  Captain  A ,  you  could  not 

have  injured  him  so  much  as  you  have  injured  his  father," 
retorted  Peters  ;  "  but  fear  not  for  your  life,  sir  :  that  is  safe  ; 
and  you  will  meet  all  the  respect  and  attention  to  your 
wants  that  circumstances  will  permit.  We  war  not  with 
individuals." 

It  was  a  proud  moment  for  Peters  to  see  this  man  cringing 
before  him,  and  receiving  with  thanks  the  promise  of  his  life 
from  one  whom  he  had  so  cruelly  treated.  There  was  a 
glorious  revenge  in  it,  the  full  force  of  which  could  only  be 
felt  by  the  granting,  not  the  receiving  party  :  for  it  could 
only  be  appreciated  by  one  who  possessed  those  fine  and 

honourable  feelings,  of  which  Captain  A was  wholly 

destitute. 

If  the  reader  will  consult  the  various  records  of  the  times 
which  we  are  now  describing,  he  will  find  that  every  respect 
was  personally  paid  to  the  officers,  although  they  were  de- 
prived of  their  arms.  Some  of  the  most  obnoxious  were  sent 
on  shore,  and  the  intemperate  conduct  of  others  produced 
effects  for  which  they  had  only  to  thank  themselves  ;  but,  on 
the  whole,  the  remark  made  by  Peters  was  strictly  correct : 
"They  warred  not  with  individuals," — they  demanded  justice 
from  an  ungrateful  country. 

It  is  true  that  the  demands  in  this  mutiny  were  not  so 
reasonable  as  in  the  preceding ;  but  where  is  the  man  who 
can  confine  himself  to  the  exact  balance  of  justice  when  his 
own  feelings  are  unwittingly  thrown  into  the  scale  ? 

As  I  before  stated,  it  is  not  my  intention  to  follow  up  the 
details  of  this  national  disgrace,  but  merely  to  confine  myself 
16 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

to  that  part  which  is  connected  with  the  present  history. 
Peters,  as  delegate  from  his  ship,  met  the  others,  who  were 
daily  assembled,  by  Parker's  directions,  on  board  of  the  Queen 
Charlotte,  and  took  a  leading  and  decided  part  in  the  arrange- 
ments of  the  disaffected  fleet 

But  Parker,  the  ringleader,  although  a  man  of  talent,  was 
not  equal  to  the  task  he  had  undertaken.  He  lost  sight  of 
several  important  features  necessary  to  ensure  success  in  all 
civil  commotions :  such  as  rapiditv  and  decision  of  action, 
constant  employment  being  found,  and  continual  excitement 
being  kept  up  amongst  his  followers,  to  afford  no  time  for 
reflection.  Those  who  serve  under  an  established  govern- 
ment know  exactly  their  present  weight  in  the  scale  of 
worldly  rank,  and  the  extent  of  their  future  expectations ; 
they  have  accustomed  themselves  to  bound  their  ambition 
accordingly ;  and  feeling  conscious  that  passive  obedience  is 
the  surest  road  to  advancement,  are  led  quietly,  here  or 
there,  to  be  slaughtered  at  the  will  and  caprice  of  their 
superiors.  But  the  leader  of  the  disaffected  against  an  estab- 
lished government  has  a  difficult  task.  He  has  nothing  to 
offer  to. his  followers  but  promises.  There  is  nothing  on 
hand — all  is  expectation.  If  allowed  time  for  reflection,  they 
soon  perceive  that  they  are  acting  an  humble  part  in  a 
dangerous  game ;  and  that  even  though  it  be  attended  with 
success,  in  all  probability  they  will  receive  no  share  of  the 
advantages,  although  certain  of  incurring  a  large  proportion 
of  the  risk.  The  leader  of  a  connected  force  of  the  above 
description  rises  to  a  dangerous  height  when  borne  up  by  the 
excitement  of  the  time ;  but  let  it  once  be  permitted  to  sub- 
side, and,  like  the  aeronaut  in  his  balloon,  from  which  the 
gas  escapes  while  it  is  soaring  in  the  clouds,  he  is  precipitated 
from  his  lofty  station,  and  gravitates  to  his  own  destruction. 

He  must  be  a  wonderful  man  who  can  collect  all  the  re- 
sources of  a  popular  commotion,  and  bring  it  to  a  successful 
issue.  The  reason  is  obvious — everything  depends  upon  the 
leader  alone.  His  followers  are  but  as  the  stones  composing 
the  arch  of  the  bridge  by  which  the  gulf  is  to  be  crossed 
between  them  and  their  nominal  superiors ;  he  is  the  keystone, 
upon  which  the  whole  depends — if  completely  fitted,  render- 
ing the  arch  durable  and  capable  of  bearing  any  pressure ; 
but  if  too  small  in  dimensions  or  imperfect  in  conformation, 
17  B 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

rendering  the  whole  labour  futile,  and  occasioning  all  the 
fabric  previously  raised  to  be  precipitated  by  its  own  weight, 
and  dispersed  in  ruin  and  confusion. 

This  latter  was  the  fate  of  the  mutiny  at  the  Nore.  The 
insurrection  was  quelled,  and  the  ringleaders  were  doomed  to 
undergo  the  utmost  penalty  of  martial  law.  Among  the  rest, 
Peters  was  sentenced  to  death. 

In  the  foremost  part  of  the  main-deck  of  a  line-of-battle 
ship,  in  a  square  room,  strongly  bulkheaded,  and  receiving 
light  from  one  of  the  ports,  as  firmly  secured  with  an  iron 
grating — with  no  other  furniture  than  a  long  wooden  form — 
his  legs  in  shackles,  that  ran  upon  a  heavy  iron  bar  lying  on 
the  deck — sat  the  unfortunate  prisoner,  in  company  with  three 
other  individuals — his  wife,  his  child,  and  old  Adams,  the 
quarter-master.  Peters  was  seated  on  the  deck,  supporting 
himself  by  leaning  against  the  bulkhead.  His  wife  was  lying 
beside  him,  with  her  face  hidden  in  his  lap.  Adams  occupied 
the  form,  and  the  child  stood  between  his  knees.  All  were 
silent,  and  the  eyes  of  the  three  were  directed  towards  one 
of  the  sad  company,  who  appeared  more  wretched  and  dis- 
consolate than  the  rest. 

"  My  dear,  dear  Ellen  !  "  said  Peters  mournfully,  as  a  fresh 
burst  of  grief  convulsed  her  attenuated  frame. 

"  Why,  then,  refuse  my  solicitations,  Edward  ?  If  not  for 
yourself,  listen  to  me  for  the  sake  of  your  wife  and  child. 
Irritated  as  your  father  still  may  be,  his  dormant  affection 
will  be  awakened  when  he  is  acquainted  with  the  dreadful 
situation  of  his  only  son  ;  nay,  his  family  pride  will  never 
permit  that  you  should  perish  by  so  ignominious  a  death ; 
and  your  assumed  name  will  enable  him,  without  blushing,  to 
exert  his  interest  and  obtain  your  reprieve." 

"Do  not  put  me  to  the  pain  of  again  refusing  you,  my 
dearest  Ellen.  I  desire  to  die,  and  my  fate  must  be  a  warning 
to  others.  When  I  reflect  what  dreadful  consequences  might 
have  ensued  to  the  country  from  our  rebellious  proceedings. 
I  am  thankful,  truly  thankful  to  God  that  we  did  not  succeed. 
I  know  what  you  would  urge — my  wrongs,  my  undeserved 
stripes ;  I,  too,  would  urge  them  ;  and  when  my  conscience 
has  pressed  me  hard,  have  urged  them  in  palliation ;  but  I 
feel  that  it  is  only  in  palliation,  not  in  justification,  that  they 
can  be  brought  forward.  They  are  no  more  in  comparison 
18 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

with  my  crime  than  the  happiness  of  one  individual  is  to  that 
of  the  nation  which  I  assisted  to  endanger,  because  one  con- 
stituting a  part  of  it  had,  unauthorised,  oppressed  me.  No, 
no,  Ellen,  I  should  not  be  happy  if  I  were  not  to  atone  for 
my  faults  ;  and  this  wretched  life  is  the  only  atonement  I  can 
offer.  But  for  you,  and  that  poor  child,  my  dearest  and 
kindest,  I  should  go  to  the  scaffold  rejoicing  ;  but  the  thoughts 
— O  God,  strengthen  and  support  me!"  cried  the  unhappy 
man,  hiding  his  face  in  his  hands. 

"  Fear  not  for  me,  Edward.  I  feel  here."  said  Ellen,  laying 
her  hand  on  her  heart,  "a  conviction  that  we  shall  soon 
meet  again.  I  will  urge  you  no  more,  love.  But  the  boy — 
the  boy — O  Edward  !  what  will  become  of  that  dear  boy 
when  we  are  both  gone  ?  " 

"  Please  God  to  spare  my  life,  he'll  never  want  a  father," 
said  old  Adams,  as  the  tears  found  a  devious  passage  down  the 
furrows  of  his  weather-beaten  face. 

"  What  will  become  of  him  ? "  cried  Peters  with  energy. 
"  Why,  he  shall  retrieve  his  father's  faults — wash  out  the  stain 
in  his  father's  character.  He  shall  prove  as  liege  a  subject 
as  I  have  been  a  rebellious  one.  He  shall  as  faithfully  serve 
his  country  as  I  have  shamefully  deserted  it.  He  shall  be 
as  honest  as  I  have  been  false ;  and  oh,  may  he  be  as  pros- 
perous as  I  have  been  unfortunate — as  happy  as  I  have  been 
miserable.  Come  hither,  boy.  By  the  fond  hopes  I  entertain 
of  pardon  and  peace  above — by  the  Almighty,  in  whose 
presence  I  must  shortly  tremble,  I  here  devote  thee  to  thy 
country — serve  her  bravely  and  faithfully.  Tell  me,  Willy,  do 
you  understand  me,  and  will  you  promise  me  this  ?  " 

The  boy  laid  his  head  upon  his  father's  shoulder,  and 
answered  in  a  low  tone — "  I  will ; "  and  then,  after  a  short 
pause,  added,  "  But  what  are  they  going  to  do  with  you, 
father  ?  " 

"  I  am  going  to  die  for  my  country's  good,  my  child.  If 
God  wills  it,  may  you  do  the  same,  but  in  a  more  honourable 
manner." 

The  boy  seemed  lost  in  thought,  and,  after  a  short  time, 
quitted  his  father's  side,  and  sat  down  on  the  deck  by  his 
mother,  without  speaking. 

Adams  rose,  and  taking  him  up,  said,  "  Mavhap  you  have 
that  to  talk  of  which  wants  no  listeners.  I  will  take  Willv 
19 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

with  me,  and  give  him  a  little  air  before  I  put  him  in  his 
hammock.  It's  but  a  close  hole,  this.  Good  night  to  you 
both,  though  I'm  afeard  that's  but  a  wish." 

But  a  wish  indeed  ! — and  it  was  the  last  that  was  ever 
to  close  upon  the  unhappy  Peters.  The  next  morning  was 
appointed  for  his  execution.  There  are  scenes  of  such  con- 
summate misery,  that  they  cannot  be  portrayed  without 
harrowing  up  the  feelings  of  the  reader,  and  of  these  the 
climax  may  be  found  in  a  fond  wife,  lying  at  the  feet  of  her 
husband  during  the  last  twelve  hours  of  his  mortal  career. 
We  must  draw  the  curtain. 

And  now,  reader,  the  title  of  this  work,  which  may  have 
puzzled  you,  will  be  explained  :  for,  intelligible  as  it  may  be 
to  our  profession,  it  may  be  a  mystery  to  those  who  are  not  in 
his  Majesty's  service.  The  broad-headed  arrow  was  a  mark 
assumed  at  the  time  of  the  Edwards  (when  it  was  considered 
the  most  powerful  weapon  of  attack),  as  distinguishing  the 
property  of  the  King,  and  this  mark  has  been  continued 
down  to  the  present  day.  Every  article  supplied  to  his 
Majesty's  service  from  the  arsenals  and  dockyards  is  thickly 
studded  with  this  mark,  and  to  be  found  in  possession  of  any 
property  so  marked  is  a  capital  offence,  as  it  designates  that 
property  to  be  the  King's  own. 

When  Adams  left  the  condemned  cell  with  Willy,  he 
thought  upon  what  had  passed,  and  as  Peters  had  devoted 
the  boy  to  his  king  and  countiy,  he  felt  an  irresistible  desire 
to  mark  him.  The  practice  of  tattooing  is  very  common  in 
the  navy ;  and  you  will  see  a  sailor's  arm  covered  with 
emblems  from  the  shoulder  to  the  wrist — his  own  initials, 
that  of  his  sweetheart,  the  crucifix,  Neptune,  and  mermaids 
being  huddled  together,  as  if  mythology  and  Scripture  were 
one  and  the  same  thing.  Adams  was  not  long  in  deciding, 
and  telling  our  little  hero  that  his  father  wished  it,  he  easily 
persuaded  him  to  undergo  the  pain  of  the  operation,  which 
was  performed  on  the  forecastle,  by  pricking  the  shape  of  the 
figure  required  with  the  points  of  needles,  and  rubbing  the 
bleeding  parts  with  wet  gunpowder  and  ink.  By  these  simple 
means  the  form  of  a  broad-headed  arrow,  or  the  King's  mark, 
was,  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  indelibly  engraved  upon  the 
left  shoulder  of  little  Willy,  who  was  then  consigned  to  his 
hammock. 

20 


THE   KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  IV 

The  strife  was  o'er,  the  vanquished  had  their  doom  ; 
The  mutineers  were  crushed,  dispersed,  or  ta'en, 
Or  lived  to  deem  the  happiest  were  the  slain. 

BYRON. 

JL  HE  day  broke  serenely  but  brightly,  and  poured  in  a  stream 
of  light  through  the  iron  grating  of  the  cell  where  Peters  and 
his  wife  lay  clasped  in  each  other's  amis,  not  asleep,  but  torpid, 
and  worn  out  with  extreme  suffering.  Peters  was  the  first  to 
break  the  silence,  and  gently  moved  Ellen  as  he  called  her 
by  her  name.  She  had  not  for  some  time  lifted  up  her  head, 
which  was  buried  in  his  bosom,  and  she  was  not  aware  that 
the  darkness  had  been  dispelled.  She  raised  her  head  at  his 
summons,  and  as  the  dazzling  light  burst  upon  her  sunken 
eyes,  so  did  the  recollection  that  this  was  the  fatal  morning 
flash  upon  her  memory. 

With  a  shriek,  she  again  buried  her  face  in  the  bosom  of 
her  husband.  "  Ellen,  as  you  love  me,"  said  Peters,  "  do  not 
distress  me  in  my  last  hour.  I  have  yet  much  to  do  before 
I  die,  and  require  your  assistance  and  support.  Rise,  my 
love,  and  let  me  write  to  my  father ;  I  must  not  neglect  the 
interest  of  our  child." 

She  rose  tremblingly,  and,  turning  back  from  her  face  her 
beautiful  hair,  which  had  been  for  so  many  days  neglected, 
and  was  now  moistened  with  her  tears,  reached  the  materials 
required  by  her  husband,  who,  drawing  towards  him  the 
wooden  form  to  serve  him  as  a  table,  wrote  the  following 
letter,  while  his  wife  sat  by  him  with  a  countenance  of  idiotic 
apathy  and  despair : — 

"DEAR  FATHER, — Yes,  still  dear  father, — Before  you  cast 
your  eyes  upon  these  characters,  you  will  be  childless.  Your 
eldest  boy  perished  nobly  in  the  field  of  honour :  your 
youngest  and  last  will  this  morning  meet  an  ignominious 
but  deserved  death  on  the  scaffold.  Thus  will  you  be 
childless;  but  if  your  son  does  meet  the  fate  of  a  traitor, 
still  the  secret  is  confined  to  you  alone,  and  none  will  imagine 
21 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

that  the  unhappy  Peters,  ringleader  of  a  mutinous  ship,  was 
the  scion  of  a  race  who  have  so  long  preserved  an  unblemished 
name.  Fain  would  I  have  spared  you  this  shock  to  your 
feelings,  and  have  allowed  you  to  remain  in  ignorance  of  my 
disgrace  ;  but  I  have  an  act  of  duty  to  perform  to  you  and  to 
my  child — towards  you,  that  your  estates  may  not  be  claimed 
and  pass  away  to  distant  and  collateral  branches ; — towards 
my  child,  that  he  may  eventually  reclaim  his  rights.  Father, 
I  forgive  you,  I  might  say — But  no  ;  let  all  now  be  buried 
in  oblivion;  and  as.  you  peruse  these  lines,  and  think  on 
my  unhappy  fate,  shed  a  tear  in  memory  of  the  once  happy 
child  you  fondled  on  your  knee,  and  say  to  your  heart,  '  1 
forgive  him.' 

"  I  have  dedicated  my  boy  to  his  king  and  country.  If  you 
forgive  me,  and  mean  to  protect  your  grandchild,  do  not 
change  the  career  in  life  marked  out  for  him  : — it  is  a  solemn 
compact  between  my  God  and  me ;  and  you  must  fulfil  this 
last  earnest  request  of  a  dying  man,  as  you  hope  for  future 
pardon  and  bliss. 

"  His  distracted  mother  sits  by  me ;  I  would  entreat  you 
to  extend  your  kindness  towards  her,  but  I  fear  she  will  soon 
require  no  earthly  aid.  Still,  soothe  her  last  moments  with 
a  promise  to  protect  the  orphan,  and  may  God  bless  you  for 
your  kindness. — Your  affectionate  son,  EDWARD." 

Peters  had  scarcely  finished  this  letter  when  Adams,  with 
the  boy  in  his  arms,  was  admitted.  "  I  come  for  final  orders, 
Peters,  and  to  tell  you  what  I  did  last  night  to  this  boy. 
He  is  real  stuff, — never  winced.  You  said  he  was  to  be  the 
king's,  and  I  thought  you  would  like  that  he  should  be 
marked  as  such.  There  is  no  mistaking  this  mark,  Peters," 
continued  Adams,  baring  the  boy's  shoulder,  and  showing  the 
impression  of  the  broad-headed  arrow,  which  now  appeared 
angry  and  inflamed,  as  it  always  is  for  some  days  after  the 
operation.  "  I  did  not  mention  that  I  was  going  to  do  it, 
because  Ellen  then  might  not  have  liked  it :  but  I  hope 
you  do." 

"Many,  many  thanks,"  answered  Peters;  and  opening  his 
letter,  which  was  folded,  but  not  sealed,  he  added  a  postscript, 
pointing  out  the  mark  by  which  the  boy  would  be  identified. 
"  You  could  not  have  done  me  a  greater  favour,  Adams ;  and 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

now  you  must  promise  me  one  more,  which  is  to  look  after 
my  poor  Ellen  when " 

"  I  understand,  my  good  fellow,  and  I  will,"  replied  Adams. 
"  There  is  the  chaplain  outside,  who  is  all  ready  for  service  if 
you  would  like  to  see  him."  continued  the  old  man,  passing 
his  hands  over  his  humid  eves. 

"  Ask  him  to  come  in,  Adams ;  he  is  a  good  man,  and  an 
honour  to  his  profession.  I  shall  be  glad  to  see  him." 

Adams  went  to  the  door,  and  soon  returned  with  the 
chaplain.  He  saluted  Peters,  who  respectfully  bowed  to 
him,  and  said :  "  I  have  long  made  my  peace  with  God  and 
man,  sir,  and  am  as  well  prepared  to  die  as  sinful  mortal 
can  be,  in  faith  and  charity  with  all  men.  Many  thank- 
to  you,  sir,  for  your  kindness ;  but,  sir,  you  may  be  of  use 
here  yet  Can  you" — and  his  voice  faltered, —  "can  you, 
sir,  help  that  poor  young  woman  ?  Cannot  you  reason  her 
into  some  kind  of  tranquillity,  some  degree  of  submission  to 
God's  will?  Oh,  do  that,  sir,  and  you  will  confer  a  favour 
on  me  indeed." 

The  chaplain  approached  Ellen,  who  lay  on  the  deck  in  a 
state  of  mental  stupefaction,  and,  addressing  her  in  mild 
accents,  persuaded  her  to  rise  and  take  a  seat  on  the  form  : 
he  kindly  contrived  to  bring  it  forward  to  the  iron-grated 
port,  so  that  she  could  not  witness  the  motions  of  Peters, 
and,  with  a  low,  yet  energetic  and  persuasive  voice,  attempted 
to  reason  her  into  patience  and  resignation.  His  efforts  were 
in  vain.  She  occasionally  looked  upon  him  with  a  vacant 
stare,  but  her  thoughts  were  elsewhere  During  the  period. 
Peters  had  time  to  shave  himself  and  dress  in  clean  attire, 
preparatory  to  being  summoned  to  his  fate. 

The  time  was  approaching  fast ;  one  bell  after  eight  o'clock, 
designating  the  half  hour,  had  struck ;  at  two  bells  (nine 
o'clock)  he  was  to  be  summoned  to  his  doom.  The  clergy- 
man rose  from  his  useless  endeavours.  "Let  us  pray,"  said 
he,  and  sank  upon  his  knees.  Peters.  Adams,  and  the  child 
followed  his  example;  and,  last  of  all,  poor  Ellen,  who 
seemed  to  recover  her  recollection,  sank  on  her  knees,  but, 
unable  to  keep  her  position,  fell  towards  the  clergyman,  who, 
as  he  supported  her  in  his  arms,  poured  forth  a  fervent  and 
eloquent  appeal  in  behalf  of  the  one  who  was  about  to  appear 
in  the  presence  of  his  Maker,  and  of  those  who  were  left 
IS 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

in  tribulation  behind.  It  was  scarcely  over  when  the  door 
opened,  and  the  provost-marshal  claimed  his  prisoner. 

The  prayer  of  the  chaplain  seemed  to  ring  in  Ellen's  ears, 
and  she  remained  supported  by  the  worthy  man,  muttering 
parts  of  it  at  intervals,  during  which  time  the  limbs  of  her 
husband  were  freed  from  the  shackles.  All  was  ready ;  and 
Peters,  straining  the  child  to  his  bosom  in  silence,  and  casting 
one  look  at  his  dear  Ellen,  who  still  remained  in  a  state  of 
stupefaction,  denied  himself  a  last  embrace  (though  the  effort 
wrung  his  heart),  rather  than  awaken  her  to  her  misery.  He 
quitted  the  cell,  and  the  chaplain,  quietly  placing  Ellen  in  the 
arms  of  Adams,  followed,  that  he  might  attend  and  support 
Peters  in  his  last  moments. 

The  prisoner  was  conducted  on  the  quarter-deck  previously 
to  being  sent  forward  to  execution.  His  sentence  was  read 
by  Captain  A ;  and  the  remark  may  perhaps  be  con- 
sidered uncharitable,  but  there  certainly  appeared  to  be  an 
ill-concealed  satisfaction  in  his  countenance  as  he  came  to 
that  part  where  it  stated  that  the  prisoner  was  to  "  suffer 
death."  Peters  heard  it  read  with  firmness,  and  asked  per- 
mission to  address  the  ship's  company.  This  was  at  first  re- 
fused by  the  captain ;  but,  at  the  request  of  the  officers,  and 
the  assurance  of  the  chaplain  that  he  would  vouch  for  the 
language  of  Peters  being  such  as  would  have  a  proper 
tendency  to  future  subordination  on  the  part  of  the  ship's 
company,  it  was  assented  to.  Bowing  first  to  the  captain  and 
officers,  Peters  turned  to  the  ship's  company,  who  were 
assembled  on  the  booms  and  gangway,  and  addressed  them 
as  follows : — 

"  Shipmates,  the  time  may  come  when  our  country  shall  be 
at  peace,  and  your  services  no  longer  be  required.  Then, 
when  you  narrate  to  your  children  the  events  of  this  unhappy 
mutiny,  do  not  forget  to  add  instruction  to  amusement  by 
pointing  out  to  them  that  it  ended  in  the  disgrace  and  death 
of  the  ringleaders.  Tell  them  that,  in  your  presence,  one  of 
them  acknowledged  on  the  quarter-deck  the  justice  of  his 
sentence,  and  returned  thanks  to  his  Majesty  for  his  kindness 
in  pardoning  others  who  had  been  led  into  the  same  error. 
Tell  them  to  do  their  duty,  to  fight  nobly  for  their  king  and 
country,  and  warn  them  by  our  example — 

At  this  moment  Willy,  who  had  eluded  the  vigilance  of  old 
24, 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Adams,  who  was  occupied  in  supporting  the  inanimate  Ellen, 
pushed  his  way  between  the  legs  of  the  marines,  who  were 
drawn  up  in  ranks  on  the  quarter-deck,  and,  running  to  his 
father,  laid  hold  of  the  loose  sailor's  trousers  in  which  he  was 
attired,  and  looked  anxiously  and  inquisitively  in  his  face. 
Peters'  voice  faltered  ;  he  attempted  to  continue  his  address 
to  the  men,  but  could  not ;  and  waving  his  hand,  and  point- 
ing to  the  child,  in  mute  explanation  of  the  cause,  after 
struggling  in  vain  against  the  overflowings  of  a  father's  heart, 
he  bent  over  the  boy  and  burst  into  tears. 

The  effect  was  electrical.  The  shock  was  communicated  to 
all ;  not  an  eye  but  was  dimmed ;  sobs  were  heard  in  the 
crowd ;  the  oldest  officers  turned  away  to  conceal  their 
emotions ;  the  younger,  and  more  fresh  in  heart,  covered 
their  faces  and  leant  against  the  bulwarks ;  the  marines 
forgot  their  discipline,  and  raised  their  hands  from  their  sides 
to  wipe  their  eyes.  Many  a  source,  long  supposed  to  be 
hermetically  sealed,  was  reopened, — many  a  spring  long  dry 
reflowed  rapidly ;  even  Captain  A was  moved. 

By  a  singular  coincidence,  the  grouping  of  the  parties  at 
this  moment  was  nearly  the  same  as  when  we  first  introduced 
our  little  hero  to  the  reader, — the  officers  and  marines  on  the 
after  part  of  the  deck,  the  ship's  company  forward,  and  little 
Willy  standing  between  the  two.  Again  he  appears  in  the 
same  position  :— but  what  a  change  of  feeling  had  taken 
place  !  As  if  he  had  been  a  little  spirit  of  good,  waving  his 
fairy  talisman,  evil  passions,  which  in  the  former  scene  were 
let  loose,  had  retired  to  their  darkest  recesses,  and  all  the 
better  feelings  of  humanity  were  called  forth  and  displayed 
in  one  universal,  spontaneous,  and  unfeigned  tribute  to  the 
melancholy  and  affecting  scene. 

The  silence  was  first  broken  by  Willy — "Where  are  you 
going,  father ;  and  why  do  you  wear  that  nightcap  ?  " 

u  I  am  going  to  sleep,  child, — to  an  eternal  sleep !  God 
bless  and  protect  you,"  said  Peters,  taking  him  up  and  kiss- 
ing him.  "And  now,  sir,  I  am  ready,"  continued  Peters, 

who  had  recovered  his  self-possession.  "Captain  A ,  I 

forgive  you,  as  I  trust  to  be  forgiven  myself.  Mr.  ," 

said  he,  addressing  the  first-lieutenant,  "  take  this  child  by 

the  hand,  and  do  not  permit  him  to  come  forward — remember 

he  is  the  '  King's  Own.' "     Then,  bowing  to  the  chaplain, 

25 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

who  had  scarcely  recovered  from  the  effects  that  the  scene 
had  produced  upon  him,  and  looking  significantly  at  the 
provost-marshal,  Peters  bent  his  steps  forward  by  the  gangway 
— the  noose  was  fastened — the  gun  fired,  and  in  a  moment 
all  was  over. 

Loud  as  was  the  report  of  the  gun,  those  who  were  ap- 
pointed to  the  unpleasant  duty  of  running  aft  with  the  rope 
on  the  main-deck,  which  swung  Peters  to  the  yard-arm, 
heard  a  shriek  that  even  that  deafening  noise  could  not 
overpower.  It  was  the  soul  of  Ellen  joining  that  of  her 
husband — and,  before  the  day  closed,  their  bodies  were  con- 
signed to  the  same  grave — 

"Where  the  wicked  cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are 
at  rest." 


CHAPTER  V 

Lord  of  himself,  that  heritage  of  woe. 

BYRON. 

v/UR  novel  may,  to  a  certain  degree,  be  compared  to  one  of 
the  pantomimes  which  rival  theatres  annually  bring  forth  for 
the  amusement  of  the  holiday  children.  We  open  with  dark 
and  solemn  scenes,  introducing  occasionally  a  bright  image, 
which  appears  with  the  greater  lustre  from  the  contrast 
around  it  ;  and  thus  we  proceed,  until  Harlequin  is  fairly 
provided  with  his  wand,  and  despatched  to  seek  his  adven- 
tures by  land  and  by  sea.  To  complete  the  parallel,  the 
whole  should  wind  up  with  a  blaze  of  light  and  beauty, 
till  our  dazzled  eyes  are  relieved,  and  the  illusion  disappears, 
at  the  fall  of  the  green  curtain,  which,  like  the  "  FINIS  "  at 
the  end  of  the  third  volume,  tells  us  that  all  is  over. 

We  must,  however,  be  allowed  to  recapitulate  a  little  in 
this  chapter,  previously  to  launching  our  hero  upon  the 
uncertain  and  boisterous  sea  of  human  life.  It  will  be 
necessary,  for  the  correct  development  of  the  piece,  that 
the  attention  of  the  reader  should  be  called  to  the  history 
of  the  grandfather  of  our  hero. 

Admiral  De  Courcy  was  the  lineal  descendant  of  an  ancient 
26 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

and  wealthy  family,  of  high  aristocratic  connection.  He  had 
the  misfortune,  at  an  early  age,  to  lose  his  father,  to  be  an 
only  child,  and  to  have  a  very  weak  and  doting  mother. 
Add  to  all  these,  that  he  was  the  heir  to  a  large  entailed 
property,  and  the  reader  will  acknowledge  that  even  the  best- 
disposed  child  stood  a  fair  chance  of  being  spoiled. 

But  young  De  Courcy  was  not  a  well-disposed  child  ;  he 
was  of  a  violent,  headstrong,  and  selfish  disposition,  and  was 
not  easily  to  be  checked  by  the  firmest  hand.  He  advanced 
to  man's  estate,  the  cruel  tyrant  of  a  fond  and  foolish  mother 
and  the  dislike  of  all  around  him.  His  restless  disposition, 
backed  by  the  persuasions  of  his  mother  to  the  contrary, 
induced  him  to  enter  into  the  naval  service.  At  the  time 
we  are  now  describing,  the  name  of  a  bov  often  appeared 
on  the  books  of  a  man-of-war  when  the  boy  himself  was  at 
school  or  at  home  with  his  friends ;  if  there  were  any  regula- 
tions to  the  contrary,  they  were  easily  surmounted  by  interest. 
The  consequence  was  that, — without  any  knowledge  of  his 
profession,  without  having  commenced  his  career  by  learning 
to  obey  before  he  was  permitted  to  command, — at  the  early 
age  of  eighteen  years,  young  De  Courcy  was  appointed 
captain  of  a  fine  frigate ;  and,  as  the  power  of  a  captain 
of  a  man-of-war  was  at  that  time  almost  without  limit, 
and  his  conduct  without  scrutiny,  he  had  but  too  favour- 
able an  opportunity  of  indulging  his  tyrannical  propensi- 
ties. His  caprice  and  violence  were  unbounded,  his  cruelty 
odious,  and  his  ship  was  designated  by  the  sobriquet  of  The 
Hell  Afoat. 

There  are,  however,  limits  to  the  longest  tether;  and  as  no 
officer  would  remain  in  the  ship,  and  the  desertion  of  the  men 
became  so  extensive  that  a  fine  frigate  lay  useless  and  un- 
manned, the  Government  at  last  perceived  the  absolute  neces- 
sity of  depriving  of  command  one  who  could  not  command 
himself.  The  ship  was  paid  off,  and  even  the  interest  of 
Captain  De  Courcy,  powerful  as  it  was,  could  not  obtain 
further  employment  for  him.  Having  for  some  time  been  in 
possession  of  his  large  property,  Captain  De  Courcy  retired  to 
the  hall  of  his  ancestors,  with  feelings  of  anger  against  the 
Government,  which  his  vindictive  temper  prompted  him  to 
indulge  by  the  annoyance  of  all  around  him ;  and,  instead  of 
diffusing  joy  and  comfort  by  the  expenditure  of  his  wealth, 
27 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

he  rendered  himself  odious  by  avarice, — a  vice  the  more  con- 
temptible as  it  was  unexpected  at  so  early  an  age. 

But,  much  as  he  was  an  object  of  abhorrence,  he  was  more 
an  object  of  pity.  With  a  handsome  exterior,  and  with 
fascinating  manners,  of  high  birth  and  connections,  with  3 
splendid  fortune, — in  short,  with  every  supposed  advantage 
that  the  world  could  give, — he  was,  through  the  injudicious- 
conduct  of  a  fond  mother,  whose  heart  he  had  broken,  the 
most  miserable  of  beings.  He  was  without  society,  for  he 
was  shunned  by  the  resident  gentlemen  in  the  neighbour- 
hood. Even  match-making  mothers,  with  hearts  indurated 
by  interest,  and  with  a  string  of  tall  daughters  to  provide  for, 
thought  the  sacrifice  too  great,  and  shuddered  at  an  alliance 
with  Captain  De  Courcy.  Avoided  by  the  tenants  of  his  large 
estates,  whose  misfortunes  met  with  no  compassion,  and  whose 
inability  to  answer  the  demands  of  the  rent-day  we-re  followed, 
up  with  immediate  distress  and  seizure, — abhorred  by  his 
own  household,  who,  if  their  services  were  not  required, 
vanished  at  his  approach,  or,  if  summoned,  entered  the  door 
of  his  room  trembling, — he  was  an  isolated  and  unhappy 
being,  a  torment  to  himself  and  to  others.  Wise,  indeed, 
was  Solomon  when  he  wrote,  that  "he  who  spared  the  rod 
spoiled  the  child." 

The  monotony  of  a  life  whose  sole  negative  enjoyment  con- 
sisted in  the  persecution  of  others,  induced  Captain  De  Courcy 
to  make  occasional  excursions  to  the  different  watering-places  ; 
and  whether  that,  to  a  certain  degree,  he  was  schooled  by 
banishment  from  society  at  home,  or  that  he  had  no  oppor- 
tunity of  displaying  his  diabolical  temper,  his  prepossessing 
appearance  and  well-known  riches  made  him  a  great  favourite 
in  these  marts  for  beauty.  An  amiable  girl  was  unfortunate 
enough  to  fix  his  attention,  and  a  hasty  proposal  was  as 
hastily  accepted  by  her  friends,  and  quietly  acquiesced  in  by 
herself.  She  married,  and  was  miserable  until  released  from 
her  heedless  engagement  by  death. 

There  are  those  who  excuse  a  violent  temper  in  a  man,  and 
consider  it  no  obstacle  to  happiness  in  the  marriage  life. 
Alas !  may  they  never  discover  the  fatal  error  in  their  own 
union  !  Even  with  the  best-hearted  and  most  fondly  attached, 
with  those  who  will  lavish  every  endearment,  acknowledge 
their  fault,  and  make  every  subsequent  effort  to  compensate 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

for  the  irritation  of  the  moment,  violence  of  temper  must 
prove  the  bane  of  marriage  bliss.  Bitter  and  insulting  ex- 
pressions have  escaped,  unheeded  at  the  time,  and  forgotten 
by  the  offending  party ;  but,  although  forgiven,  never  to  be 
forgotten  by  the  other.  Like  barbed  arrows,  they  have 
entered  into  the  heart  of  her  whom  he  had  promised  before 
God  to  love  and  to  cherish,  and  remain  there  they  must,  for 
they  cannot  be  extracted.  Affection  may  pour  balm  into  the 
wounds  and  soothe  them  for  a  time,  and,  while  love  fans 
them  with  his  soft  wings,  the  heat  and  pain  may  be  unper- 
ceived;  but  passion  again  asserts  his  empire,  and  upon  his 
rude  attack  these  ministering  angels  are  forced  from  their 
office  of  charity,  and  woman — kind,  devoted  woman— looks 
inwardly  with  despair  upon  her  wounded  and  festering 
heart. 

Hurried  as  she  was  to  an  early  tomb,  the  unfortunate  wife 
of  Captain  De  Courcy  had  still  time  to  present  him  with  two 
fine  boys,  whose  infantine  endearments  soothed  his  violence ; 
and,  as  long  as  they  showed  no  spirit  of  resistance,  they  were 
alternately  fondled  and  frightened.  But  children  are  not 
blind,  and  the  scenes  which  continually  occurred  between 
their  parents, — the  tears  of  their  mother,  and  the  remarks 
made  in  their  presence  by  the  domestics, — soon  taught  them 
to  view  their  father  with  dread.  Captain  De  Courcy  per- 
ceived that  he  was  shunned  by  his  children,  the  only  beings 
whom  he  had  endeavoured  (as  far  as  his  temper  would  permit) 
to  attach  to  him.  They  were  dismissed  to  school  at  a  very 
early  age,  and  were  soon  treated  by  their  father  in  the  same 
harsh  manner  as  all  those  who  had  the  misfortune  to  be 
under  his  baneful  protection.  They  returned  home  at  holiday 
time  with  regret,  and  the  recommencement  of  their  scholastic 
duties  was  a  source  of  delight.  The  mother  died,  and  all  at 
home  was  desolate.  The  violence  of  their  father  seemed  to 
increase  from  indulgence  ;  and  the  youths,  who  were  verging 
into  manhood,  proved  that  no  small  portion  of  the  parent's 
fiery  disposition  had  been  transmitted  to  them,  and  showed 
a  s-pirit  of  resistance  which  ended  in  their  ruin. 

William,  the  eldest  of  the  boys,  was,  as  it  were,  by  birth- 
right, the  first  to  fall  a  victim  to  his  father's  temper.  Struck 
senseless  and  bleeding  to  the  ground  for  some  trifling  indis- 
cretion, as  be  lay  confined  to  his  bed  for  many  subsequent 
29 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

days,  he  formed  the  resolution  of  seeking  his  own  fortune 
rather  than  submit  to  hourly  degradation.  At  the  period  at 
which  this  occurred,  many  years  previously  to  the  one  of 
which  we  are  now  writing,  the  East  India  Company  had  but 
a  short  time  received  its  charter,  and  its  directors  were  not 
the  proud  rulers  which  they  have  since  become.  It  never 
was  calculated  that  a  company,  originally  consisting  of  a  few 
enterprising  merchants,  could  ever  have  established  them- 
selves (even  by  the  most  successful  of  mischievous  arts)  the 
controllers  of  an  immense  empire,  independent  of,  and 
anomalous  to,  the  constitution  of  England  ;  or  that  privileges, 
granted  to  stimulate  the  enterprise  of  individuals,  would  have 
been  the  ground  of  a  monopoly,  which,  like  an  enormous 
incubus,  should  oppress  the  nation  from  the  throne  to  the 
cottage.  They  gladly  accepted  the  offers  of  all  adventurers ; 
and  at  that  period  there  was  as  much  eagerness  on  their 
part  to  secure  the  services  of  individuals,  as  there  is  now  on 
the  part  of  applicants  to  be  enrolled  on  the  books  of  the 
Company. 

William,  without  acquainting  his  father,  entered  into  an 
engagement  with  the  Company,  signed  it,  and  was  shipped 
off,  with  many  others,  who,  less  fortunate,  had  been  nefari- 
ously kidnapped  for  the  same  destination.  He  arrived  in 
India,  rose  to  the  rank  of  captain,  and  fell  in  one  of  the 
actions  that  were  fought  at  this  time.  The  letter  which 
William  left  on  the  table,  directed  to  his  father,  informing 
him  of  the  step  he  had  been  induced  to  take,  was  torn  to 
atoms  and  stamped  upon  with  rage ;  and  the  bitter  maledic- 
tion of  the  parent  was  launched  with  dreadful  vehemence 
upon  the  truant  son,  in  the  presence  of  the  one  who  remained. 

And  yet  there  was  one  man  before  whom  this  haughty 
and  vindictive  spirit  quailed,  and  who  had  the  power  to 
soften,  although  not  wholly  to  curb,  his  impetuosity, — one 
who  dared  to  tell  him  the  truth,  expose  to  him  the  folly  and 
wickedness  of  his  conduct,  and  meet  the  angry  flash  of  his 
eye  with  composure, — one  whose  character  and  office  secured 
him  from  insult,  and  who  was  neither  to  be  frightened  nor 
diverted  from  his  purpose  of  doing  good.  It  was  the  vicar  of 
the  parish,  who,  much  as  he  disliked  the  admiral  (for  Captain 
De  Courcy  had  latterly  obtained  the  rank  by  seniority  on  the 
list),  continued  his  visits  to  the  hall,  that  he  might  appeal  for 
30 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

the  unfortunate.  The  admiral  would  willingly  have  shaken 
him  off,  but  his  attempts  were  in  vain.  The  vicar  was  firm 
at  his  post,  and  often  successfully  pleaded  the  cause  of  his 
parishioners,  who  were  most  of  them  tenants  of  the  admiral. 
He  was  unassisted  in  his  parochial  duties  by  the  curate,  a 
worthy,  but  infirm  and  elderly  man,  fast  sinking  into  his 
grave,  and  whom,  out  of  Christian  charity,  he  would  not  re- 
move from  his  situation,  as  it  would  have  deprived  him  of  the 
means  of  support. 

Edward,  the  younger  brother,  naturally  sought  that  happi- 
ness abroad  which  was  denied  him  at  home.  The  house  of 
the  curate  was  one  of  his  most  favourite  resorts,  for  the  old 
man  had  a  beautiful  and  only  daughter, — poor  Ellen,  whose 
fate  we  have  just  recorded.  It  is  sufficient  for  the  present 
narrative  to  state  that  these  two  young  people  loved  and 
plighted  their  troth  ;  that  for  two  years  they  met  with  joy 
and  parted  with  regret,  until  the  approaching  dissolution  of 
the  old  curate  opened  their  eyes  to  the  dangerous  position  in 
which  they  were  placed.  He  died,  and  Edward,  who  be- 
held her  whom  he  loved  thrown  unprotected  and  penniless 
on  the  world,  mustered  up  the  courage  of  desperation  to  state 
to  his  father  the  wishes  of  his  heart. 

A  peremptory  order  to  leave  the  house  or  abandon  Ellen 
was  the  immediate  result ;  and  the  indignant  young  man 
quitted  the  roof,  and  persuaded  the  unhappy  and  fond  girl 
to  unite  herself  to  him  by  indissoluble  ties  in  a  neighbouring 
parish,  before  the  vicar  had  possession  of  the  facts  or  the 
opportunity  to  dissuade  him  from  so  imprudent  a  step.  He 
immediately  proceeded  to  the  hall,  with  a  faint  hope  of 
appeasing  the  irritated  parent ;  but  his  endeavours  were 
fruitless,  and  the  admiral  poured  forth  his  anathema  against 
his  only  child. 

Edward  now  took  his  wife  to  a  village  some  miles  distant, 
where  by  their  mutual  exertions  they  contrived  for  some 
time  to  live  upon  their  earnings ;  but  the  birth  of  their 
first  child,  the  hero  of  this  tale,  and  the  expenses  attending 
her  sickness,  forced  him  at  last  (when  all  appeals  to  his  father 
proved  in  vain)  to  accept  the  high  bounty  that  was  offered 
for  men  to  enter  into  his  Majesty's  service,  which  he  did 
under  the  assumed  name  of  Edward  Peters. 

SI 


THE  KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  VI 

1  disclaim  all  my  paternal  care, 

Propinquity  and  property  of  blood. 

The  barbarous  Scythian, 

Or  he  that  makes  his  generation  messes 

To  gorge  his  appetite,  shall  to  my  bosom 

Be  as  well  neighbour'd,  pitied,  and  relieved, 

As  him.  SHAKESPEARE. 

J.N  a  lofty  room,  the  wainscoting  of  which  was  of  dark  oak, 
with  a  high  mantelpiece,  elaborately  carved  in  the  same  wood 
with  groups  of  dead  game  and  flowers,  and  a  few  choice 
pictures  let  into  the  panels, — upon  an  easy-chair  that  once 
had  been  splendid  with  morocco  and  gold,  sat  a  man  of 
about  fifty  years  of  age  ;  but  his  hair  was  grey  and  his  face 
was  indented  with  deep  lines  and  furrows.  He  was  listening 
with  impatience  to  the  expostulations  of  one  who  stood 
before  him,  and  shifted  his  position  from  time  to  time,  when 
more  than  usually  annoyed  with  the  subject.  It  was  Admiral 
De  Courcy  and  the  vicar  of  the  parish,  who  was  persuading 
him  to  be  merciful. 

The  subject  of  this  discourse  was,  however,  dismissed  by 
the  entrance  of  a  servant,  who  presented  to  the  admiral,  upon 
a  large  and  massive  salver,  a  letter  brought,  as  he  stated,  by  a 
seafaring  man.  The  admiral  lifted  up  his  glasses  to  examine 
the  superscription.  "From  my  worthless  vagabond  of  a 
son ! "  exclaimed  he,  and  he  jerked  the  letter  into  the  fire 
without  breaking  the  seal. 

"  Surely,  sir,"  rejoined  the  vicar,  "it  would  be  but  justice  to 
hear  what  he  has  to  offer  in  extenuation  of  a  fault  too  severely 
punished  already.  He  is  your  only  son,  sir,  and  why  not  forgive 
one  rash  act  ?  Recollect,  sir,  that  he  is  the  heir  to  this  property, 
which,  being  entailed,  must  of  necessity  devolve  upon  him." 

"  Curses  on  the  bare  thought,"  answered  the  admiral  with 
vehemence.  "  I  hope  to  starve  him  first." 

"  May  the  Almighty  show  more  mercy  to  you,  sir,  when 
you  are  called  to  your  account,  than  you  have  shown  to  an 
imprudent  and  hasty  child.  We  are  told  that  we  are  to  for- 
give, if  we  hope  to  be  forgiven.  Admiral  De  Courcy,  it  is 
32 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

my  duty  to  ask  you,  do  you  expect  (and  if  so,  upon  what 
grounds)  to  be  forgiven  yourself?" 

The  admiral  looked  towards  the  window  and  made  no  reply. 

The  letter,  which  had  been  thrown  into  the  grate,  was  not 
yet  consumed.  It  had  lit  upon  a  mass  of  not  yet  ignited  coal, 
and  lay  there  blackening  in  the  smoke.  The  vicar  perceived 
it,  and  walking  to  the  fireplace,  recovered  the  letter  from  its 
perilous  situation. 

"  If  you  do  not  choose  to  read  it  yourself,  admiral — if  you 
refuse  to  listen  to  the  solicitations  of  an  only  child,  haAre  you 
any  objection  that  I  should  open  the  letter,  and  be  acquainted 
with  the  present  condition  of  a  young  man  who,  as  you  know, 
was  always  dear  to  me  ?  " 

"None,  none,"  replied  the  admiral  sarcastically.  "You 
may  read  it,  and  keep  it  too,  if  you  please." 

The  vicar,  without  any  answer  to  this  remark,  opened  the 
letter,  which,  as  the  reader  may  probably  imagine,  was  the  one 
written  by  Edward  Peters  on  the  morning  of  his  execution. 

"  Merciful  Heaven  ! "  exclaimed  the  man  of  religion,  as 
he  sat  down  to  recover  from  the  shock  he  had  received. 
"  Unfortunate  boy  ! " 

The  admiral  turned  round,  astonished  at  the  demeanour  of 
the  clergyman,  and  (it  would  appear)  as  if  his  conscience  had 
pressed  him  hard,  and  that  he  was  fearful  that  his  cruel  wish, 
expressed  but  a  few  minutes  before,  had  been  realised.  He 
turned  pale,  but  asked  no  questions.  After  a  short  time  the 
vicar  rose,  and,  with  a  countenance  of  more  indignation  than 
the  admiral  or  others  had  ever  seen,  thus  addressed  him : — 

"  The  time  may  come,  sir, — nay,  I  prophesy  that  it  will 
come,  when  the  contents  of  this  letter  will  cause  you  bitterly 
to  repent  your  cruel  and  unnatural  conduct  to  your  son.  The 
letter  itself,  sir,  I  cannot  entrust  you  with.  In  justice  to 
others,  it  must  not  be  put  into  your  hands ;  and  after  your 
attempt  to  commit  it  to  the  flames,  and  your  observation  that 
I  might  read  and  keep  it  too,  I  feel  justified  in  retaining  it. 
A  copy  of  it,  if  you  please,  I  will  send  you,  sir." 

"  I  want  neither  copy  nor  original,  nor  shall  I  read  them 
if  you  send  them,  good  sir,"  answered  the  admiral,  pale  with 
anger. 

"  Fare  you  well,  then,  sir.     May  God  turn  your  heart  I " 

So  saying,  the  vicar  left  the  room  with  a  determination  not 
33  c 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

to  enter  it  again.  His  first  inquiry  was  for  the  person  who 
had  brought  the  letter,  and  he  was  informed  that  he  still 
waited  in  the  hall.  It  was  old  Adams,  who  had  obtained 
leave  of  absence  for  a  few  days,  that  he  might  fulfil  the  last 
request  of  Peters.  The  clergyman  here  received  a  second 
shock,  from  the  news  of  the  death  of  poor  Ellen,  and  listened 
with  the  deepest  interest  to  Adams'  straightforward  account 
of  the  whole  catastrophe. 

The  first  plan  that  occurred  to  the  vicar  was  to  send  for 
the  child,  and  take  charge  of  him  himself;  but  this  was  nega- 
tived, not  only  by  Peters'  letter,  but  also  by  old  Adams,  who 
stated  his  determination  to  retain  the  child  until  claimed 
by  legal  authority.  After  mature  deliberation,  he  considered 
that  the  child  would  be  as  much  under  an  All-seeing  Eye  on 
the  water  as  on  the  land,  and  that,  at  so  early  an  age,  he  was 
probably  as  well  under  the  charge  of  a  trustworthy  old  man 
like  Adams  as  he  would  be  elsewhere.  He  therefore  re- 
quested Adams  to  let  him  have  constant  accounts  of  the  boy's 
welfare,  and  to  apply  to  him  for  any  funds  that  he  might 
require  for  his  maintenance ;  and  wishing  the  old  man  fare- 
well, he  set  off  for  the  vicarage,  communing  with  himself  as 
to  the  propriety  of  keeping  the  circumstance  of  the  boy's 
birth  a  secret,  or  divulging  it  to  his  grandfather,  in  the 
hopes  of  eventually  inducing  him  to  acknowledge  and  to 
protect  him. 


CHAPTER   VII 

To  the  seas  presentlye  went  our  lord  admiral, 
With  knights  couragious  and  captains  full  good  ; 

The  brave  Earl  of  Essex,  a  prosperous  general, 
With  him  prepared  to  pass  the  salt  flood. 

At  Plymouth  speedilye  took  tliey  ship  valiantlye, 

Braver  ships  never  were  seen  under  sayle, 
With  their  fair  colours  spread,  and  streamers  o'er  their  head: 

Now,  bragging  foemen,  take  heed  of  your  tayle. 

Old  Ballad,  1596. 

JVxANY  and  various  were  the  questions  that  were  put  by 
our  little  hero  to  Adams  and  others  relative  to  the  fate  of 
his  parents.  That  they  were  both  dead  was  all  the  information 

34 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

that  he  could  obtain ;  for,  to  the  honour  of  human  nature, 
there  was  not  one  man  in  a  ship's  company  composed  of 
several  hundred  who  had  the  cruelty  to  tell  the  child  that 
his  father  had  been  hanged.  It  may,  at  first,  appear  strange 
to  the  reader  that  the  child  himself  was  not  aware  of  the 
fact  from  what  he  had  witnessed  on  the  morning  of  execu- 
tion ;  but  it  must  be  recollected  that  he  had  never  seen  an 
execution  before,  and  had  therefore  nothing  from  which  to 
draw  such  an  inference.  All  he  knewr  was,  that  his  father 
was  on  the  quarter-deck  with  a  night-cap  on,  and  that  he 
told  him  that  he  wras  going  to  sleep.  The  death  of  his 
mother,  whose  body  he  was  not  permitted  to  see,  was  quite 
as  unintelligible,  and  the  mystery  which  enveloped  the  whole 
transaction  added  no  little  to  the  bereavement  of  the  child, 
who,  as  I  have  before  stated,  from  his  natural  talent  and 
peculiar  education,  was  far  more  reBective  and  advanced  than 
children  usually  are. 

Adams  returned  to  his  little  charge  with  pleasure ;  he  had 
now  a  right  to  adopt  the  child  and  consider  him  as  his  own. 
In  the  ship,  the  boy  was  such  an  object  of  general,  sympathy, 
that  not  only  many  of  the  men,  but  some  of  the  officers,  would 
gladly  have  taken  him,  and  have  brought  him  up.  The  name 
of  his  father  was,  by  general  consent,  never  mentioned,  espe- 
cially as  Adams  informed  the  officers  and  men  that  Peters 
had  been  a  "pursers  name"  adopted  by  the  child's  father, 
and  that,  although  the  clergyman  had  stated  this,  he  had  not 
entmsted  him  with  the  real  name  that  the  child  was  entitled 
to  bear.  As,  therefore,  our  little  hero  was  not  only  without 
parents,  but  without  name,  he  was  rechristened  by  Adams 
by  the  cognomen  of  the  "  King's  Own,"  and  by  that  title,  or 
his  Christian  name,  Willy,  was  ever  afterwards  addressed,  both 
by  officers  and  men. 

There  is  an  elasticity  supplied  to  the  human  mind  by  Un- 
erring Wisdom,  that  enables  us,  however  broken  down  by 
the  pressure  of  misfortune,  to  recover  our  cheerfulness  after 
a  while,  and  resign  ourselves  to  the  decrees  of  Heaven.  It 
consoles  the  widow ;  it  supports  the  bereaved  lover,  who  had 
long  dwelt  upon  anticipated  bliss ;  it  almost  reconciles  to  her 
lot  the  fond  and  forsaken  girl  whose  heart  is  breaking. 

Unusually  oppressed  as  Willy  was  with  the  loss  of  those  to 
whom  he  had  so  fondly  clung  from  his  birth,  in  a  few  months 
35 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

he  recovered  his  wonted  spirits,  and  his  cheeks  again  played 
with  dimples,  as  his  flashing  eye  beamed  from  under  his  long 
eyelashes.  He  attached  himself  to  the  old  quarter-master, 
and  seldom  quitted  him  ;  he  slept  in  his  hammock  ;  he  stood 
by  his  side  when  he  was  on  deck  at  his  duty,  steering  the 
ship ;  and  he  listened  to  the  stories  of  the  good  old  man,  who 
soon  taught  him  to  read  and  write.  For  three  years  thus 
passed  his  life,  at  the  end  of  which  period  he  had  arrived  at 
the  age  of  nine  years. 

After  a  long  monotony  of  blockade  service,  the  ship  was 
ordered  to  hoist  the  flag  of  a  commodore,  who  was  appointed 
to  the  command  of  an  expedition  against  the  western  coast 
of  France,  to  create  a  diversion  in  favour  of  the  Vendeari 

chiefs.  Captain  A ,  whether  it  was  that  he  did  not  like 

to  receive  a  superior  officer  on  board  of  his  ship,  or  that  he 
did  not  admire  the  service  upon  which  she  was  to  be  em- 
ployed, obtained  permission  to  leave  his  ship  for  a  few  months 
for  the  restoration  of  his  health,  to  the  great  joy  of  the  officers 
and  crew ;  and  an  acting  captain  of  well-known  merit  was 
appointed  in  his  stead. 

The  squadron  of  men-of-war  and  transports  was  collected, 
the  commodore's  flag  hoisted,  and  the  expedition  sailed  with 
most  secret  orders,  which,  as  usual,  were  as  well  known  to  the 
enemy,  and  everybody  in  England,  as  they  were  to  those  by 
whom  they  were  given.  It  is  the  chai-acteristic  of  our  nation, 
that  we  scorn  to  take  any  unfair  advantage  or  reap  any 
benefit  by  keeping  our  intentions  a  secret.  We  imitate  the 
conduct  of  that  English  tar  who,  having  entered  a  fort,  and 
meeting  a  Spanish  officer  without  his  sword,  being  providen- 
tially supplied  with  two  cutlasses  himself,  immediately  offered 
him  one,  that  they  might  engage  on  fair  terms. 

The  idea  is  generous,  but  not  wise.  But  I  rather  imagine 
that  this  want  of  secrecy  arises  from  all  matters  of  importance 
being  arranged  by  Cabinet  councils.  In  the  multitude  of 
counsellors  there  may  be  wisdom,  but  there  certainly  is  not 
secrecy.  Twenty  men  have  probably  twenty  wives,  and  it 
is  therefore  twenty  to  one  but  the  secret  transpires  through 
that  channel.  Further,  twenty  men  have  twenty  tongues ; 
and  much  as  we  complain  of  women  not  keeping  secrets,  I 
suspect  that  men  deserve  the  odium  of  the  charge  quite  as 
much,  if  not  more,  than  women  do.  On  the  whole,  it  is  forty 
36 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

to  one  against  secrecy,  which,  it  must  be  acknowledged,  are 
long  odds. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  squadron  at  the  point  of  attack,  a 
few  more  days  were  thrown  away, — probably  upon  the  same 
generous  principle  of  allowing  the  enemy  sufficient  time  for 
preparation.  Troops  had  been  embarked,  with  the  intention 
of  landing  them,  to  make  a  simultaneous  attack  with  the 
shipping.  Combined  expeditions  are  invariably  attended  with 
delay,  if  not  with  disagreement.  An  officer  commanding 
troops,  who,  if  once  landed,  would  be  as  decided  in  his  move- 
ments as  Lord  Wellington  himself,  does  not  display  the  same 
decision  when  out  of  his  own  element.  From  his  peculiar 
situation  on  board,  —  his  officers  and  men  distributed  in 
different  ships, — the  apparent  difficulties  of  debarkation,  easily 
remedied,  and  despised  by  sailors,  but  magnified  by  lands- 
men,— from  the  great  responsibility  naturally  felt  in  a  situa- 
tion where  he  must  trust  to  the  resources  of  others,  and 
where  his  own,  however  great,  cannot  be  called  into  action, 
he  will  not  decide  without  much  demur  upon  the  steps  to 
be  taken;  although  it  generally  happens  that  the  advice 
originally  offered  by  the  naval  commandant  has  been  acceded 
to.  Unless  the  military  force  required  is  very  large,  marines 
should  invariably  be  employed,  and  placed  under  the  direc- 
tion of  the  naval  commander. 

After  three  or  four  days  of  pros  and  coiis,  the  enemy  had 
completed  his  last  battery,  and  as  there  was  then  no  rational 
excuse  left  for  longer  delay,  the  debarkation  took  place,  with- 
out any  serious  loss  on  our  side,  except  that  of  one  launch,  full 

of  the Regiment,  which  was  cut  in  halves  by  the  enemy's 

shot.  The  soldiers,  as  they  sank  in  the  water,  obeyed  the 
orders  of  the  sergeant,  and  held  up  their  cartouch-boxes, 
that  they  might  not  be  wetted  two  seconds  sooner  than 
necessary, — held  fast  their  muskets,— and,  without  stirring 
from  the  gunnels  of  the  boat,  round  which  they  had  been 
stationed,  wrent  down  in  as  good  order  as  could  be  expected, 
each  man  at  his  post,  with  his  bayonet  fixed.  The  sailors, 
not  being  either  so  heavily  caparisoned  or  so  well  drilled, 
were  guilty  of  a  saute  qui  petit,  and  were  picked  up  by  other 
boats.  The  officer  of  the  regiment  stuck  to  his  men,  and  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  he  marched  the  whole  of  his  brave  de- 
tachment to  heaven,  as  he  often  had  before  to  church.  But 
37 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

we  must  leave  the  troops  to  form  on  the  beach  as  well  as  they 
can,  and  the  enemy's  shot  will  permit,  and  retire  on  board. 

The  commodore's  arrangement  had  been  punctually  com- 
plied with.  The  ships  that  were  directed  to  cover  the  landing 
of  the  troops  knocked  down  many  of  the  enemy,  and  not  a 
great  many  more  of  our  own  men.  The  stations  of  the  other 
ships  were  taken  with  a  precision  deserving  of  the  highest 
encomiums ;  and  there  is  no  doubt  that,  had  not  the  enemy 
had  the  advantage  of  stone  walls,  they  must  have  had  the 
worst  of  it,  and  would  have  been  well  beaten. 

The  commodore  himself,  of  course,  took  the  post  of  honour. 
Anchored  with  springs  on  his  cables,  he  alternately  engaged 
a  heavy  battery  on  his  starboard  bows,  a  much  heavier,  backed 
by  a  cidadel,  throwing  shells,  on  his  beam,  and  a  masked 
battery  on  his  quarter,  which  he  had  not  reckoned  upon. 
The  latter  was  rather  annoying,  and  the  citadel  threw  shells 
with  most  disagreeable  precision.  He  had  almost  as  much  to 
do  as  Lord  Exmouth  at  Algiers,  although  the  result  was  not 
so  fortunate. 

A  ship  engaging  at  anchor,  with  very  little  wind,  and  that 
wind  lulled  by  the  percussion  of  the  air  from  the  report  of 
the  guns,  as  it  always  is,  has  the  disadvantage  of  not  being 
able  to  disengage  herself  of  the  smoke,  which  rapidly  accumu- 
lates and  stagnates  as  it  were  between  the  decks.  Under 
these  circumstances  you  repeatedly  hear  the  order  passed 
upon  the  main  and  lower  deck  of  a  line-of-battle  ship  to 
point  the  guns  two  points  abaft  the  beam,  point-blank,  and  so 
on.  In  fact,  they  are  as  much  in  the  dark  as  to  the  external 
objects  as  if  they  were  blindfolded ;  and  the  only  comfort  to 
be  derived  from  this  serious  inconvenience  is,  that  every 
man  is  so  isolated  from  his  neighbour  that  he  is  not  put  in 
mind  of  his  own  danger  by  witnessing  the  death  of  those 
around  him,  for  they  may  fall  three  or  four  feet  from  him 
without  his  perceiving  it;  so  they  continue  to  fire  as 
directed,  until  they  are  either  sent  down  to  the  cockpit 
themselves,  or  have  a  momentary  respite  from  their  exertions, 
when,  choked  with  smoke  and  gunpowder,  they  go  aft  to  th,e 
scuttle-butt  to  remove  their  parching  thirst.  So  much  for 
the  lower  and  main  deck.  We  will  now  ascend  to  the  quarter- 
deck, where  we  shall  find  old  Adams  at  the  conn,  and  little 
Willy  standing  behind  him. 

38 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

The  smoke  is  not  so  thick  here  but  that  you  may  perceive 
the  commodore  on  the  poop,  walking  a  step  or  two  to  star- 
board, and  then  turning^  short  round  to  port.  He  is  looking 
anxiously  through  his  glass  at  the  position  of  the  troops,  who 
are  ashore  to  storm  the  batteries,  hoping  to  see  a  diversion  in 
our  favour  made  by  them,  as  the  affair  becomes  serious.  By 
a  singular  coincidence,  the  commandant  of  the  troops  en 
shore  is,  with  his  telescope,  looking  anxiously  at  the  shipping. 
hoping  the  same  thing  from  the  exertions  of  the  navy.  The 
captain  of  marines  lies  dead  upon  the  poop ;  both  his  legs- 
have  been  shot  off  by  a  spent  shot.  He  is  left  there,  as  no 
surgeon  can  help  him;  and  there  are  two  signalmen  lying 
dead  alongside  him. 

On  the  hammock-nettings  of  the  quarter-deck  stands  the 
acting  captain  of  the  ship,  erect,  and  proud  in  bearing,  with 
an  eye  of  defiance  and  scorn  as  he  turns  towards  the  enemy. 
His  advice  was  disregarded,  but  he  does  his  duty  proudly 
and  cheerfully.  He  is  as  cool  and  unconcerned  as  if  he  were 
watching  the  flying-fish  as  they  rise  from  the  bows  of  the  ship 
when  running  down  the  tropics,  instead  of  the  enemy's  shot. 
as  they  splash  in  the  water  alongside,  or  tear  open  the  timbers 
of  the  vessel  and  the  bodies  of  his  crew.  The  men  still  ply 
their  half-manned  guns  ;  but  they  are  exhausted  with  fatigue. 
and  the  bloody  deck  proves  that  many  have  been  dismissed 
from  their  duty.  The  first-lieutenant  is  missing ;  you  will 
find  him  in  the  cockpit.  They  have  just  finished  taking  up 
the  arteries  of  his  right  arm,  which  has  been  amputated  ; 
and  the  Scotch  surgeon's  assistant,  who  for  cuany  months 
bewailed  the  want  of  practice,  and  who,  for  having  openly 
expressed  his  wishes  on  that  subject,  had  received  a  sound 
thrashing  from  the  exasperated  midshipmen,  is  now  compli- 
menting the  fainting  man  upon  the  excellent  stump  that  they 
have  made  for  him  ;  while  fifty  others,  dying  or  wounded,  with 
as  much  variety  as  Homer's  heroes,  whose  blood,  trickling  from 
them  in  several  rivulets,  pours  into  one  general  lake  at  the 
lowest  level  of  the  deck,  are  anxiously  waiting  their  turn,  and 
distract  the  purser's  steward  by  their  loud  calls,  in  every  direc- 
tion at  the  same  time,  for  the  tin-pot  of  water,  with  which  he 
is  relieving  their  agonising  thirst. 

A  large  shark  is  under  the  counter;  he  is  so  gorged  with 
human  flesh  that  he  can  scarcely  move  his  tail  in  the  tinged 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

water,  and  he  now  hears  the  sullen  plunges  of  the  bodies,  as 
they  are  launched  through  the  lower-deck  port,  with  perfect 
indifference.  "  Oh,  what  a  glorious  thing's  a  battle  !  " 

But  to  return  to  our  particular  narrative.  As  we  men- 
tioned before,  the  citadel  threw  shells  with  remarkable  pre- 
cision, and  every  man  who  had  been  killed  on  the  quarter 
deck  of  the  commodore's  ship,  towards  which  the  attention 
of  the  enemy  was  particularly  directed,  had  been  laid  low 
by  these  horrible  engines  of  modern  warfare.  The  action 
still  continued,  although  the  fire  on  both  sides  had  evidently 
slackened,  and  the  commodore's  glass  had  at  several  intervals 
been  fruitlessly  directed  towards  the  troops  on  shore,  when 
accident  brought  about  a  change  in  favour  of  our  countrymen. 
Through  some  unknown  cause,  the  magazine  of  the  enemy's 
largest  battery  exploded,  and  buried  the  fabric  with  its 
tenants  in  one  mass  of  ruin.  The  enemy  were  panic-struck 
with  their  misfortune,  our  troops  and  sailors  inspired  with 
fresh  courage,  and  the  fire  was  recommenced  with  three 
cheers  and  redoubled  vigour.  The  troops  pushed  on,  and 
succeeded  in  taking  possession  of  the  masked  battery,  which 
had  so  long  and  so  effectually  raked  the  commodore. 

A  few  minutes  after  this  had  occurred  the  citadel  recom- 
menced its  fire,  and  a  shell,  descending  with  that  terrific 
hissing  peculiar  to  itself  alone,  struck  the  main-bitts  on  the 
quarter-deck,  and,  rolling  aft,  exploded.  Its  fragments  scat- 
tered death  around,  and  one  piece  took  the  hat  off  the 
head  of  little  Willy,  who  was  standing  before  Adams,  and 
then  buried  itself  in  the  old  man's  side.  He  staggered  for- 
ward, and  fell  on  the  coils  of  rope  near  the  companion-hatch  ; 
and  when  the  men  came  to  assist  him  below,  the  pain  of 
moving  was  so  intense  that  he  requested  to  be  left  where 
he  was,  that  he  might  quietly  breathe  his  last. 

Willy  sat  down  beside  his  old  friend,  holding  his  hand. 
"A  little  water,  boy — quick,  quick  !  "  It  was  soon  procured 
by  the  active  and  affectionate  child,  who,  indifferent  to  the 
scene  around  him,  thought  only  of  administering  to  the  wants 
and  alleviating  the  misfortune  of  his  dearest  friend.  Adams, 
after  he  had  drunk,  turned  his  head  round,  apparently  re- 
vived, and  said,  in  a  low  and  catching  voice,  as  if  his  powers 
were  fast  escaping,  "  Willy,  your  father's  name  was  not  Peters. 
I  do  not  know  what  it  was ;  but  there  is  a  person  who  does, 
40 


THE  KING'S   OWN 

and  who  takes  an  interest  in  your  welfare.  He  lives 
in " 

At  this  moment  another  shell  bounded  through  the  rigging 
and  fell  within  a  few  feet  of  the  spot  where  Willy  and  old 
Adams  were  speaking.  Willy,  who  was  seated  on  a  coil  of 
rope  supporting  the  head  of  his  benefactor,  no  sooner  perceived 
the  shell  as  it  rolled  towards  the  side,  with  its  fuse  pouring  out 
a  volume  of  smoke,  than,  recollecting  the  effects  of  the  former 
explosion,  rather  than  the  danger  of  the  attempt,  he  ran  to- 
wards it,  and  not  being  able  to  lift  it,  sank  down  on  his  knees, 
and  with  astonishing  agility,  succeeded  in  rolling  it  overboard, 
out  of  the  larboard  entering-port,  to  which  it  was  near.  The 
shell  plunged  into  the  water,  and,  before  it  had  descended  many 
feet,  exploded  with  a  concussion  that  was  communicated  to 
the  ship  fore  and  aft.  Our  hero  then  resumed  his  station  by 
the  side  of  Adams,  who  had  witnessed  what  had  taken  place. 

"  You  have  begun  well,  my  boy,"  said  the  old  man  faintly, 
"  There's  ne'er  a  man  in  the  ship  would  have  done  it.  Kiss 
me,  boy." 

The  child  leaned  over  the  old  man  and  kissed  his  cheek, 
clammy  with  the  dews  of  death.  Adams  turned  a  little  on 
one  side,  uttered  a  low  groan,  and  expired. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

Now  dash'd  upon  the  billow, 
Our  opening  timbers  creak, 
Each  fears  a  watery  pillow. 

To  cling  to  slippery  shronds 
Each  breathless  seaman  crowds, 

As  she  lay 

Till  the  day 
In  the  Bay  of  Biscay  O !— Sea  Song. 

As  it  will  only  detain  the  narrative,  without  being  at  all 
necessary  for  its  development,  I  shall  not  dwell  upon  the 
results  of  the  engagement,  which  was  soon  after  decided, 
with  very  indifferent  success  on  our  side.  The  soldiers  were 

41 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

re  embarked,  the  ships  hauled  out  of  reach  of  the  enemy's  guns, 
and  a  council  of  war  summoned ;  on  which  it  was  agreed, 
nem.  can.,  that  no  more  was  to  be  done.  The  despatches 
were  sent  home  ;  they  certainly  differed  a  little,  but  that  was 
of  no  consequence.  The  sum  total  of  killed  and  wounded 
was  excessively  gratifying  to  the  nation,  as  it  proved  that  there 
had  been  hard  fighting.  By-the-bye,  John  Bull  is  rather 
annoying  in  this  respect ;  he  imagines  that  no  action  can 
be  well  fought  unless  there  is  a  considerable  loss.  Having 
no  other  method  of  judging  of  the  merits  of  an  action,  he 
appreciates  it  according  to  the  list  of  killed  and  wounded.  A 
merchant  in  toto,  he  computes  the  value  of  an  object  by  what 
it  has  cost  him,  and  imagines  that  what  is  easily  and  cheaply 
obtained  cannot  be  of  much  value.  The  knowledge  of  this 
peculiar  mode  of  reasoning  on  his  part  has  very  often  induced 
officers  to  put  down  very  trifling  contusions,  such  as  a  prize- 
fighter would  despise,  to  swell  up  the  sum  total  of  the  loss 
to  the  aggregate  of  the  honest  man's  expectations. 

To  proceed.  As  usual  in  cases  of  defeat,  a  small  degree  of 
accusation  and  recrimination  took  place.  The  army  thought 
that  the  navy  might  have  beaten  down  stone  ramparts  ten 
feet  thick ;  and  the  navy  wondered  why  the  army  had  not 
walked  up  the  same  ramparts,  which  were  thirty  feet  per- 
pendicular. Some  of  the  ships  accused  others  of  not  having 
had  a  sufficient  number  of  men  killed  and  wounded ;  and  the 
boats'  crews,  whenever  they  met  on  shore,  fought  each  other 
desperately,  as  if  it  were  absolutely  necessary,  for  the  honour 
of  the  country,  that  more  blood  should  be  spilt.  But  this 
only  lasted  three  weeks,  when  a  more  successful  attempt 
made  them  all  shake  hands,  and  wonder  what  they  had  been 
squabbling  about. 

There  was,  however,  one  circumstance  which  occurred 
during  the  action  that  had  not  been  forgotten.  It  had  been 
witnessed  by  the  acting  captain  of  the  ship,  and  had  been 
the  theme  of  much  comment  and  admiration  among  the  officers 
and  men.  This  was  the  daring  feat  of  our  little  hero  in  rolling 

the  shell  over  the  side.  Captain  M (the  new  commander), 

as  soon  as  his  more  important  avocations  would  permit,  made 
inquiries  among  the  officers  (being  himself  a  stranger  in  the 
ship)  relative  to  Willy.  His  short  but  melancholy  history 
was  soon  told,  and  the  disconsolate  boy  was  summoned  from 
42 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

under  the  half-deck,  where  he  sat  by  the  body  of  Adams, 
which,  with  many  more,  lay  sewed  up  in  his  hammock  and 
covered  over  with  the  union-jack,  waiting  for  the  evening,  to 
receive  the  rites  of  Christian  burial,  before  being  committed 
to  the  deep. 

Knowing  that  Adams  had  been  his  only  protector,  a  feeling 
of  compassion  for  the  bereaved  and  orphan  boy.  and  admiration 

of  his  early  tokens  of  bravery,  induced  Captain  M ,  who 

never  formed  a  resolution  in  haste,  or  abandoned  it  if  once 
formed,  to  take  the  boy  under  his  own  protection,  and  to  place 
him  as  an  officer  on  that  quarter-deck  upon  which  he  had  so 
distinguished  himself.  Willy,  in  obedience  to  orders  received, 
stood  by  the  captain,  with  his  hat  in  his  hand. 

"  What  is  your  name,  my  boy  r  "  said  the  captain,  passing 
a  scrutinising  glance  over  his  upright  and  well-proportioned 
figure. 

«  Willy,  sir." 

"  And  what's  your  other  name  ?  " 

"  King's  Own,  sir." 

This  part  of  the  boy's  history  was  now  explained  by  the 
second-lieutenant,  who  was  in  command  in  consequence  of 
the  first-lieutenant  being  wounded. 

"  He  must  have  a  name."  replied  the  captain.  "  William 
King's  Own  will  not  do.  Is  he  on  the  books  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,  he  is  not ;  shall  I  put  him  down  as  William 
Jones  or  William  Smith  ?  " 

"No,  no;  those  are  too  common.  The  boy  has  neither 
father,  mother,  nor  name,  that  we  know  of:  as  we  may, 
therefore,  have  a  choice  of  the  latter  for  him,  let  it  be  a  good 
one.  I  have  known  a  good  name  make  a  man's  fortune  with 
a  novel-reading  girl.  There  is  a  romance  in  the  boy's  history ; 
let  him  have  a  name  somewhat  romantic  also." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  replied  the  lieutenant.  "  Here,  marine,  tell 
my  boy  to  bring  up  one  of  the  volumes  of  the  novel  in  my 
cabin." 

The  book  made  its  appearance  on  the  quarter-deck. 
"  Perhaps,  sir,  we  mav  find  one  here,"  said  the  lieutenant, 
presenting  the  book  to  the  captain. 

The  captain  smiled  as  he  took  the  book.     "  Let  us  see," 
said  he,  turning  over  the  leaves — " '  Delamere  ! ' — that's  too 
puppyish.    '  Fortescue  ! ' — don't  like  that    '  Seymour ! ' — Yes, 
43 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

ihat  will  do.  It's  not  too  fine,  yet  aristocratic  and  pretty. 
Desire  Mr.  Hinchen,  the  clerk,  to  enter  him  on  the  books  as 
Mr.  William  Seymour,  midshipman.  And  now,  youngster,  I 
will  pay  for  your  outfit  and  first  year's  mess  ;  after  which  I 
hope  your  pay  and  prize-money  will  be  sufficient  to  enable  you 
to  support  yourself.  Be  that  as  it  may,  as  long  as  you  do 
credit  to  my  patronage  I  shall  not  forget  you." 

Willy,  with  his  straw  hat  in  one  hand,  and  a  superero- 
gatory touch  of  his  curly  hair  with  the  other,  made  a  scrape 
with  his  left  leg,  after  the  manner  and  custom  of  seafaring 
people  ;  in  short,  he  made  the  best  bow  that  he  could,  ob- 
serving the  receipt  that  had  been  given  him  by  his  departed 
friend  Adams.  D'Egville  might  have  turned  up  his  nose  at 

it,  but  Captain  M was  perfectly  satisfied,  for,  if  not  an 

elegant,  it  certainly  was  a  grateful  bow. 

Our  young  officer  was  not  sent  down  to  mess  in  the  berth 
of  the  midshipmen.  His  kind  and  considerate  captain  was 
aware  that  a  lad  who  creeps  in  at  the  hawse-holes — i.e.,  is 
promoted  from  before  the  mast — was  not  likely  to  be  favour- 
ably received  in  the  midshipmen's  mess,  especially  by  that 
part  of  the  community  who,  from  their  obscure  parentage, 
would  have  had  least  reason  to  complain.  He  was  therefore 
consigned  to  the  charge  of  the  gunner. 

Sincere  as  were  the  congratulations  of  the  officers  and  men, 
Willy  was  so  much  affected  with  the  loss  of  his  fond  guar- 
dian, that  he  received  them  with  apathy,  and  listened  to 
the  applause  bestowed  upon  his  courage  with  tears  that  flowed 
from  the  remembrance  of  the  cause  which  had  stimulated  him 
to  the  deed.  At  the  close  of  the  day  he  saw  the  body  of  his 
old  friend  committed  to  the  deep  with  quivering  lips  and 
aching  brow,  and  as  it  plunged  into  the  clear  wave,  felt  as 
if  he  was  left  alone  in  the  world,  and  had  no  one  to  love  and 
to  cling  to. 

We  do  not  give  children  credit  for  the  feelings  which  they 
possess,  because  they  have  not,  at  their  early  age,  acquired 
the  power  of  language  to  express  them  correctly.  Treat  a 
child  as  you  would  an  equal,  and  in  a  few  months  you. will 
find  that  the  reason  of  his  having  until  then  remained 
childish  was  because  he  had  heretofore  been  treated  as  a 
being  of  inferior  capacity  and  feelings.  True  it  is  that  at 
an  early  age  the  feelings  of  children  are  called  forth  by  what 
44 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

we  consider  as  trifles ;  but  we  must  recollect,  in  humility, 
that  our  own  pursuits  are  as  vain,  as  trifling,  and  as  selfish — 
"  We  are  but  children  of  a  larger  growth." 

The  squadron  continued  to  hover  on  the  French  coast, 
with  a  view  of  alarming  the  enemy,  and  of  making  a  more 
fortunate  attempt  if  opportunity  occurred.  Early  in  the 
morning  of  the  fourth  day  after  Willy  had  been  promoted  to 
the  quarter-deck,  a  large  convoy  of  chassc-marees  (small  coast- 
ing-vessels, lugger  rigged)  were  discovered  rounding  a  low 
point  not  three  miles  from  the  squadron.  A  general  signal 
to  chase  was  immediately  thrown  out,  and  in  half-an-hour 
the  English  men-of-war  were  in  the  midst  of  them,  pouring 
broadside  after  broadside  upon  the  devoted  vessels,  whose 
sails  were  lowered  in  every  direction  in  token  of  submission. 
The  English  men-of-war  reminded  you  of  so  many  hawks 
pouncing  upon  a  flight  of  small  birds ;  and  the  vessels,  with 
their  lowered  sails  just  flapping  with  the  breeze,  seemed  like 
so  many  victims  of  their  rapacity,  who  lay  fluttering  on  the 
ground,  disabled  or  paralysed  with  terror.  Many  escaped 
into  shoal  water,  others  ran  ashore,  some  were  sunk,  and 
about  twenty  taken  possession  of  by  the  ships  of  the  squadron. 
They  proved  to  be  part  of  a  convoy  laden  with  wine,  and 
bound  to  the  Garonne. 

One  of  the  c/iasse-marees,  being  a  larger  vessel  than  the 
rest,  and  laden  with  wine  of  a  better  quality,  was  directed 
by  the  commodore  to  be  sent  to  England ;  the  casks  of  wine 
on  board  of  the  others  were  hoisted  into  the  different  ships, 
and  distributed  occasionally  to  the  crews.  Captain  M — 
thought  that  the  departure  of  the  prize  to  England  would 
be  a  favourable  opportunity  to  send  our  hero  to  receive  his 
outfit,  as  he  could  not  well  appear  on  the  quarter-deck  as 
an  officer  without  his  uniform.  He  therefore  directed  the 
master's  mate,  to  whose  charge  the  prize  was  about  to  be 
confided,  to  take  William  with  him,  and  wrote  to  his  friends 
at  Portsmouth,  whither  the  vessel  was  directed  to  proceed, 
to  fit  him  out  with  the  requisite  articles,  and  send  him  back 
by  the  first  ship  that  was  directed  to  join  the  squadron.  The 
prize  was  victualled,  the  officer  received  his  written  orders, 
was  put  on  board  with  our  hero  and  three  men,  and  parted 
company  with  the  squadron. 

The  master's  mate,  who  was  directed  to  take  the  vessel  to 
45 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

Portsmouth,  was  the  spurious  progeny  of  the  first-lieutenant 
of  a  line-of-battle  ship  and  a  young  woman  who  attended 
the  bumboat  which  supplied  the  ship's  company  with 
necessaries  and  luxuries,  if  they  could  afford  to  pay  for  them. 
The  class  of  people  who  obtain  their  livelihood  by  these 
means,  and  who  are  entirely  dependent  upon  the  navy  for 
their  subsistence,  are  naturally  anxious  to  secure  the  good- 
will of  the  commanding  officers  of  the  ships,  and  usually 
contrive  to  have  on  their  establishment  a  pretty-looking 
girl,  who,  although  very  reserved  to  the  junior  officers  of  the 
ship,  is  all  smiles  to  the  first-lieutenant,  and  will  not  stand 
upon  trifles  for  the  benefit  of  her  employer.  Beauty  for 
men — gold  for  women  !  Such  are  the  glittering  baits  em- 
ployed in  this  world  to  entice  either  sex  from  the  paths  of 
duty  or  discretion. 

The  service  was  indebted  to  this  species  of  bribery  for  the 
officer  in  question.  The  interest  of  his  supposed  father  was 
sufficient  to  put  him  on  the  quarter-deck,  and  the  profits 
of  his  mother,  who,  having  duly  served  her  apprenticeship, 
had  arrived  to  the  dignity  of  bumboat  woman  herself,  and 
was  a  fat,  comely  matron  of  about  forty  years  of  age,  were 
more  than  sufficient  to  support  him  in  his  inferior  rank.  His 
education  and  natural  abilities  were  not,  however,  of  that 
class  to  procure  him  either  friends  or  advancement,  and  he 
remained  in  the  capacity  of  master's  mate,  and  was  likely 
long  to  continue  so,  unless  some  such  event  as  a  general 
action  should  include  him  in  a  promotion  which  would  be 
regulated  by  seniority.  He  was  a  mean-looking,  vulgar 
little  man,  with  a  sharp  face  and  nose — the  latter  very  red, 
from  the  constant  potations  of  not  only  his  own  allowance, 
but  of  that  of  every  youngster  in  the  ship  whom  he  could 
bully  or  cajole. 

His  greatest  pride  and  his  constant  study  was  "  slang," 
in  which  he  was  no  mean  proficient.  He  always  carried  in 
his  pocket  a  colt  (i.e.,  a  foot  and  a  half  of  rope,  knotted  at 
one  end,  and  whipped  at  the  other),  for  the  benefit  of. the 
youngsters,  to  whom  he  was  a  most  inordinate  tyrant.  He 
could  fudge  a  day's  work,  which  he  sent  in  with  the  rest 
of  the  midshipmen,  and  which  proofs  of  theoretical  know- 
ledge of  their  profession  were  in  those  days  little  attended 
to ;  but  he  was  very  ignorant,  and  quite  unfit  to  take  charge 
46 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

of  any  vessel.  Captain  M ,  who,  as  we  before  stated, 

had  joined  the  ship  as  acting  captain.,  and  had  not  had 
time  to  ascertain  the  merits  or  demerits  of  the  officers,  had 
given  the  prize  to  his  charge  because  he  was  the  senior 
mate  of  the  ship. 

The  prize  had  scarcely  trimmed  her  sails  and  shaped  her 
course,  when  Mr.  Bullock,  the  master's  mate,  called  our 
hero  to  him,  and  addressed  him  in  the  following  elegant 
phraseology : — 

"Now,  you  rebellious  spawn — touch  your  hat.  you  young 
whelp" — (knocking  off  poor  Willy's  only  hat,  which  flew  to 
leeward  and  went  overboard) — "mind  what  I  say,  for  I 
mean  to  be  as  good  as  a  father  to  you.  You're  not  an  officer 
yet — and  if  you  were,  it  would  be  all  the  same — so  no  capers, 
no  airs.  You  see  I've  only  three  men  in  the  vessel  besides 
myself;  they  are  in  three  watches;  so  your  duty  will  be 
to  attend  to  me  in  the  cabin.  You'll  mull  my  claret;  I 
always  drinks  a  noggin  every  half-hour  to  keep  the  wind 
out,  and  if  it  an't  ready  and  an't  good — do  you  see  this  ?  " — 
Staking  the  colt  out  of  his  pocket) — "  Stop ;  you'd  better 
feel  it  at  once,  and  then,  when  you  knows  what  the  taste 
of  it  is,  you'll  take  care  how  you're  slack  in  stays."  So  saying, 
he  administered  three  or  four  hearty  cuts  on  the  back  and 
shoulders  of  our  hero,  who  had  been  sufficiently  drilled  into 
the  manners  and  customs  of  a  man-of-war  to  know  the  value 
of  the  proverb,  "  The  least  said,  the  soonest  mended." 

A  spigot  had  been  already  inserted  into  one  of  the  casks  of 
claret  which  were  lashed  on  deck  ;  and,  as  the  small  vessel 
was  very  uneasy  in  the  heavy  swell  of  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  our 
hero  had  sufficient  employment  in  watching  the  pot  of  claret, 
and  preventing  it  from  being  upset  by  the  motion  of  the 
vessel,  as  it  was  constantly  heating  on  the  stove  in  the  cabin. 
This  potation  was  regularly  presented  by  Willy  every  half- 
hour,  as  directed,  to  his  commanding  officer,  who,  if  it  was 
too  sweet,  or  not  sweet  enough,  or  if  he  could  not  drink  the 
whole,  invariably,  and  much  to  the  annoyance  of  our  hero, 
threw  the  remainder  into  his  face,  telling  him  that  was  his 
share  of  it 

This  arrangement  continued  in  fall  force  for  three  days  and 
three  nights ;  for  Willy  was  roused  up  five  or  six  times  every 
night  to  administer  the  doses  of  mulled  claret  which  Mr. 
47 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Bullock  had  prescribed  for  himself,  who  seemed,  thin  and 
meagre  as  he  was,  to  be  somewhat  like  a  bamboo  in  his 
structure  (i.e.,  hollow  from  top  to  bottom),  as  if  to  enable  him 
to  carry  the  quantity  of  fluid  that  he  poured  down  his  throat 
during  the  twenty-four  hours.  As  for  intoxicating  him,  that 
appeared  to  be  impossible  ;  from  long  habit,  he  seemed  to  be 
like  a  stiff  ship  that  careened  to  her  bearings,  and  would 
sooner  part  company  with  her  masts  than  heel  any  farther. 

On  the  fourth  day  a  strong  gale  sprang  up  from  the  north- 
west, and  the  sea  ran  very  high.  The  chasse-maree,  never 
intended  to  encounter  the  huge  waves  of  the  Bay  of  Biscay, 
but  to  crawl  along  the  coast  and  seek  protection  from  them 
on  the  first  indication  of  their  fury, — labouring  with  a  heavy 
cargo,  not  only  stowed  below,  but  on  the  decks, — was  not 
sufficiently  buoyant  to  rise  on  the  summits  of  the  waves, 
which  made  a  clean  breach  over  her,  and  the  men  became 
exhausted  with  the  wet  and  the  inclemency  of  the  season. 
On  the  third  day  of  the  gale,  and  seventh  since  they  had  parted 
company  with  the  fleet,  a  squall  brought  the  mainmast  by 
the  board;  the  foresail  was  lowered  to  close-reef,  when  a 
heavy  sea  struck  the  vessel,  and  pouring  a  torrent  over  her 
decks,  swept  overboard  the  three  men  who  were  forward 
reefing  the  sail.  Mr.  Bullock,  the  master's  mate,  was  at  the 
helm ;  Willy,  as  usual,  down  below,  attending  the  mulled 
claret,  which  had  been  more  than  ever  in  request  since  the 
bad  weather  had  come  on. 

The  mate  quitted  the  helm,  and  ran  forward  to  throw  a 
rope  to  the  seamen  who  were  struggling  in  the  water  with 
the  wreck  to  leeward.  He  threw  one,  which  was  seized  by 
two  of  them  (the  other  had  sunk)  ;  and  as  soon  as  they  had 
hold  of  it  and  it  became  taut  from  their  holding  on,  he 
perceived,  to  his  dismay,  that  he  had  stood  on  the  remaining 
part  of  the  coil,  and  that  it  had  encircled  itself  several  times 
round  his  body,  so  that  the  men  were  hauling  him  overboard. 
11  Let  go,  let  go,  or  I'm  overboard  ! "  was  a  useless  exclama- 
tion to  drowning  men :  they  held  on,  and  the  mate  too  held 
on  by  the  rigging  for  his  life,  the  efforts  of  the  drowning 
men  dragging  him  at  last  from  off  his  legs,  and  keeping  his 
body  in  a  horizontal  position,  as  they  hauled  at  his  feet,  and 
he  clung  in  desperation  to  the  lee-shrouds.  "  Willy,  Willy, 
a  knife  —  quick,  quick!"  roared  the  mate  in  his  agony. 
48 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

Willy,  who,  hearing  his  name  called,  and  followed  up  by  the 
"  Quick,  quick,"  had  no  idea  that  anything  but  the  mulled 
claret  could  demand  such  unusual  haste,  stopped  a  few 
seconds  to  throw  in  the  sugar  and  stir  it  round  before  he 
answered  the  summons.  He  then  started  up  the  hatchway 
with  the  pot  in  his  hand. 

But  these  few  seconds  had  decided  the  fate  of  Mr.  Bullock, 
and  as  Willy's  head  appeared  up  the  hatchway,  so  did  that  of 
Mr.  Bullock  disappear  as  he  sank  into  a  grave  so  dissonant 
to  his  habits.  He  had  been  unable  to  resist  any  longer  the 
united  force  of  the  drowning  men,  and  Willy  was  just  in  time 
to  witness  his  submersion,  and  find  himself  more  destitute 
than  ever.  Holding  on  by  the  shroud  with  one  hand,  with  the 
pot  of  mulled  claret  in  the  other,  Willy  long  fixed  his  eyes  on 
the  spot  where  his  tyrannical  shipmate  had  disappeared  from 
his  sight,  and  forgetting  his  persecution,  felt  nothing  but  sorrow 
for  his  loss.  Another  sea,  which  poured  over  the  decks  of 
the  unguided  vessel,  roused  him  from  his  melancholy  reverie, 
and  he  let  go  the  pot,  to  cling  with  both  hands  to  the  rig- 
ging as  the  water  washed  over  his  knees  ;  then,  seizing  a 
favourable  opportunity,  he  succeeded  in  regaining  the  cabin 
of  the  vessel,  where  he  sat  down  and  wept  bitterly— bitterly 
for  the  loss  of  the  master's  mate  and  men,  for  he  had  an 
affectionate  and  kind  heart — bitterly  for  his  own  forlorn  and 
destitute  situation.  Old  Adams  had  not  forgotten  to  teach 
him  to  say  his  prayers,  and  Willy  had  been  accustomed  to 
read  the  Bible,  which  the  old  man  explained  to  the  best  of  his 
ability.  The  vessel  laboured  and  groaned  as  she  was  buffeted 
by  the  waves,  the  wind  howled,  and  the  sea  struck  her  trem- 
bling sides  and  poured  over  her  decks.  In  the  midst  of  this 
wild  discord  of  the  elements,  the  small  voice  of  the  kneeling 
child,  isolated  from  the  rest  of  the  world,  and  threatened 
soon  to  be  removed  from  it,  was  not  unheard  or  unheeded 
by  an  omniscient  and  omnipotent  God,  who  has  said  that  not 
a  sparrow  should  fall  to  the  ground  without  His  knowledge, 
and  has  pointed  out  of  how  much  more  value  are  we  than 
many  sparrows. 

Willy  ended  his  devotions  and  his  tears,  and,  feeling  wet 

and   cold,  recollected   that  what   would  warm   his  departed 

friend  the  mate  would  probably  have  the  same  effect  upon 

huii.     He  crawled  up  the  companion-hatch  with  another  tin 

49  D 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

pot,  and  having  succeeded  in  obtaining  some  wine  from  the 
cask,  returned  to  the  cabin.  Having  warmed  it  over  the  fire, 
and  sugared  it  according  to  the  well-practised  receipt  of  Mr. 
Bullock,  he  drank  more  of  it  than,  perhaps,  in  any  other  situa- 
tion he  would  have  done,  and  lying  down  in  the  standing 
bed-place  at  the  side  of  the  cabin,  soon  fell  into  a  sound  sleep. 


CHAPTER  IX 

And  there  he  went  ashore  without  delay, 
Having  no  custom-honse  nor  quarantine 

To  ask  him  awkward  questions  on  the  way 
About  the  time  and  place  where  he  had  been  : 

He  left  his  ship  to  be  hove  down  next  day. 

Don  Juan. 

J_  HE  prize  vessel,  at  the  time  when  she  carried  away  her 
masts,  had  gained  considerably  to  the  northward  of  Ushant, 
although  the  master's  mate,  from  his  ignorance  of  his  profes- 
sion, was  not  aware  of  the  fact.  The  wind,  which  now  blew 
strongly  from  the  N.W.,  drove  the  shattered  bark  up  the 
Channel,  at  the  same  time  gradually  nearing  her  to  the 
French  coast.  After  twenty-four  hours'  driving  before  the 
storm,  during  which  Willy  never  once  awoke  from  his  torpor, 
the  vessel  was  not  many  leagues  from  the  port  of  Cherbourg. 
It  was  broad  daylight  when  our  hero  awoke ;  and  after  some 
little  time  necessaiy  to  chase  away  the  vivid  effects  of  a 
dream,  in  which  he  fancied  himself  to  be  on  shore,  walking 
in  the  fields  with  his  dear  mother,  he  recollected  where  he 
was  and  how  he  was  situated.  He  ascended  the  companion- 
ladder  and  looked  around  him.  The  wind  had  nearly  spent 
its  fury,  and  was  subsiding  fast ;  but  the  prospect  was  cheer- 
less— a  dark  wintry  sky  and  rolling  sea,  and  nothing  living  in 
view  except  the  sea-bird  that  screamed  as  it  skimmed  over 
the  white  tops  of  the  waves.  The  mizzen  of  the  vessel  was 
still  hoisted  up,  but  the  sheet  had  disengaged  itself  from  the 
belaying-pin,  and  the  sail  had  been  rent  from  the  bolt-rope 
by  the  storm.  Part  of  it  was  blown  away,  and  the  rest,  jagged 
and  tattered  at  its  extremities  from  constant  buffeting,  napped 
"mournfully  to  and  fro"  with  the  heavy  rolling  of  the  vessel. 
Willy,  holding  only  the  companion-hatch,  scanned  the  hori- 
50 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

zon  in  every  point  of  the  compass  in  hopes  of  succour,  but  for 
a  long  while  in  vain.  At  last  his  keen  eye  detected  a  small 
vessel,  under  a  single  close-reefed  sail,  now  rising  on  the  tops 
of  the  waves,  now  disappearing  in  the  deep  trough  of  the  sea. 
She  was  sloop-rigged,  and  running  down  towards  him. 

In  a  quarter  of  an  hour  she  had  neared  to  within  a  mile, 
and  Willy  perceived  with  delight  that  the  people  were  on 
deck,  and  occasionally  pointing  towards  him.  He  ran  down 
below,  and  opening  the  chest  of  Mr.  Bullock,  which  was  not 
locked,  took  a  liberty  which  he  would  never  have  dared  to 
contemplate  during  that  worthy  officer's  lifetime,  viz.,  that  of 
putting  forth  one  of  his  two  best  white  shirts,  reserved  for 
special  occasions.  This  he  took  on  deck,  made  it  fast  to  a 
boat-hook  staff,  and  hoisted  as  a  signal  of  distress.  He  did 
also  mechanically  lift  his  hand  to  his  head  with  the  intention 
of  waving  his  hat,  but  he  was  reminded,  by  not  finding  it 
there,  that  it  had  been  the  first  votive  offering  which  had 
been  made  to  appease  the  implacable  deities  presiding  over 
the  winds  and  waves.  The  vessel  closed  with  him,  hove-to  to 
windward,  and  after  some  demur,  a  small  boat,  capable  of 
holding  three  persons,  was  hoisted  over  the  gunnel,  and  two 
hands,  jumping  into  her,  rowed  under  the  stern  of  the  wreck. 

"You  must  jump,  my  lad;  there's  no  going  alongside  a 
craft,  without  any  sail  to  steady  her,  in  such  a  sea  as  this. 
Don't  be  afraid.  We'll  pick  you  up." 

Willy,  who  had  little  fear  in  his  composition,  although  he 
could  not  swim,  leaped  from  the  taffrail  of  the  vessel  into  the 
boiling  surge,  and  immediately  that  he  rose  to  the  surface  was 
rescued  by  the  men,  who,  seizing  him  by  the  waistband  of  the 
trousers,  hauled  him  into  the  boat  and  threw  him  down  in  the 
bottom  under  the  thwarts.  Then,  without  speaking,  they  re- 
sumed their  oars  and  pulled  to  the  other  vessel,  on  board  of 
which  they  succeeded  in  establishing  our  hero  and  themselves, 
although  the  boat  was  stove  in  the  attempt  and  cast  adrift  as 
useless. 

Willy's  teeth  chattered  and  his  whole  frame  trembled  with 
the  cold  as  he  went  aft  to  the  captain  of  the  sloop,  who  was 
sitting  on  deck  wrapped  up  in  a  rough  white  great-coat,  with 
his  pipe  in  his  mouth.  The  captain  was  a  middle-sized,  slightly- 
made  young  man,  apparently  not  more  than  twenty-five  years 
old.  His  face  was  oval,  with  a  remarkably  pleasing  expression; 
51 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

his  eyes  small  and  brilliant ;  and  notwithstanding  the  rough- 
ness of  his  outward  attire,  there  was  a  degree  of  precision  in  the 
arrangement  of  his  hair  and  whiskers  which  proved  that  witli 
him  neatness  was  habitual.  He  had  a  worsted  mitten  on  his 
left  hand ;  the  right,  which  held  his  pipe,  was  bare,  and 
remarkably  white  and  small.  Perceiving  the  situation  of  the 
boy,  he  called  to  one  of  the  men,  "Here,  Phillips,  take  this 
poor  devil  down  and  put  something  dry  on  him,  and  give  him 
a  glass  of  brandy ;  when  he's  all  right  again,  we'll  find  out 
from  him  how  he  happened  to  be  adrift  all  by  himself,  like  a 
bear  in  a  washing-tub.  There,  go  along  with  Phillips,  boy." 

"He's  of  the  right  sort,"  said  one  of  the  men  who  had 
brought  him  on  board,  casting  his  eyes  in  the  direction  of  our 
hero,  who  was  descending  the  companion.  "  I  thought  so 
when  I  see'd  him  have  his  wits  about  him  to  hoist  the  signal. 
He  made  no  more  of  jumping  overboard  than  a  Newfoundland 
dog — -never  stopped  two  seconds  to  think  on't." 

"We  shall  soon  see  what  he  is  made  of,"  replied  the 
captain,  relighting  his  pipe,  which  had  been  allowed  to  go 
out  during  the  time  that  they  were  rescuing  Willy  and  the 
men  from  the  boat  when  she  returned. 

Willy  was  soon  provided  with  more  comfortable  clothing ; 
and  whether  it  was  or  was  not  from  a  whim  of  Phillips,  who 
had  been  commissioned  to  rig  him  out,  he  appeared  on  deck 
the  very  picture  of  the  animal  which  he  had  been  compared 
to  by  the  sailor.  Thick  woollen  stockings,  which  were  longer 
than  both  his  legs  and  thighs,  a  pair  of  fisherman's  well- 
greased  boots,  a  dark  Guernsey  frock  that  reached  below 
his  knees,  and  a  rough  pea-jacket  that  descended  to  his 
heels,  made  him  appear  much  broader  than  he  was  high. 
A  red  woollen  nightcap  completed  his  attire,  which,  although 
anything  but  elegant,  was  admirably  calculated  to  assist  the 
brandy  in  restoring  the  circulation. 

"  Here  he  is,  captain,  all  a-tanto,  but  not  very  neat,"  said 
Phillips,  shoving  Willy  up  the  hatchway ;  for  he  was  so  en- 
cumbered with  the  weight  of  his  new  apparel  that  he  never 
could  have  ascended  without  assistance.  "I  have  -stowed 
away  some  spirits  in  his  hold,  and  he  no  longer  beats  the 
devil's  tattoo  with  his  grinders." 

"  Now,  my  lad,"  said  the  captain,  taking  his  pipe  out  of 
his  mouth,  "tell  me  what's  your  name,  what  you  are,  and 
52 


THE  KING'S  OWN  / 

how  you  came  to  be  adrift  in  that  barky.  Tell  me  the  truth 
— be  honest,  always  be  honest ;  it's  the  best  policy." 

Now,  it  rather  unfortunately  happened  for  Willy  that 
these  two  first  questions  were  rather  difficult  for  him  to 
answer.  He  told  his  story  with  considerable  hesitation — 
believed  his  name  was  Seymour — believed  he  was  a  midship- 
man. He  was  listened  to  without  interruption  by  the  cap- 
tain and  crew  of  the  vessel,  who  had  gathered  round  to  hear 
him  "spin  his  yarn."  When  he  had  finished,  the  captain, 
looking  Willy  very  hard  in  the  face,  thus  addressed  him  : — 
"  My  little  friend,  excuse  me,  but  I  have  some  slight  know- 
ledge of  the  world,  and  I  therefore  wish  that  you  had  not 
forgotten  the  little  advice  I  gave  you,  as  a  caution,  before 
you  commenced  your  narrative.  Did  not  I  say,  Be  honest  ? 
You  believe  you  are  an  officer — believe  your  name  to  be  Sey- 
mour. I  tell  you,  my  lad,  in  return,  that  I  don't  believe  a 
word  that  you  say ;  but,  however,  that's  of  no  consequence. 
It  requires  reflection  to  tell  a  lie,  and  I  have  no  objection 
to  a  little  invention,  or  a  little  caution  with  strangers.  All 
that  about  the  battle  was  very  clever ;  but  still,  depend  upon 
it,  honesty's  the  best  policy.  When  we  are  better  acquainted 
I  suppose  we  shall  have  the  truth  from  you.  I  see  the  land 
on  the  lee-bow ;  we  shall  be  into  Cherbourg  in  an  hour, 
when  I  expect  we  shall  come  to  a  better  understanding." 

The  Sainte  Vierge — for  such  was  the  name  of  the  vessel, 
which  smelt  most  insufferably  of  gin,  and,  as  our  readers  may 
probably  have  anticipated,  was  a  smuggler,  running  between 
Cherbourg  and  the  English  coast — soon  entered  the  port, 
and  having  been  boarded  by  the  officers  of  the  Douane  (who 
made  a  very  proper  distinction  between  smuggling  from  and 
to  their  own  territories),  came  to  an  anchor  close  to  the  mole. 
As  soon  as  the  vessel  was  secured  the  captain  went  below, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  reappearing,  dressed  in  much  better 
taste  than  one-half  of  the  saunterers  in  Bond  Street,  went 
on  shore  to  the  cabaret  where  he  usually  took  up  his  quarters, 
taking  with  him  our  hero,  whose  strange  attire,  so  peculiarly 
contrasted  with  that  of  the  captain's,  was  a  source  of  great 
amusement  to  the  sailors  and  other  people  who  were  assem- 
bled on  the  quay. 

"  Ah,  man  capitaine,  charm£  de  vous  revoir.  Buvons  un  coup, 
,'cst-ce pas?"  said  the  proprietor  of  the  cabaret,  presenting 
53 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

?  bottle  of  prime  French  brandy  and  a  liquor-glass  to  the 
captain  as  he  entered. 

"  Heureux  voyage,  n'est-ce  pas,  Monsieur  ?  " 

"  £a  va  bien,"  replied  the  captain,  throwing  the  glass  of  liquor 
down  his  throat.  "  My  apartments,  if  you  please,  and  a  bed  for 
this  lad.  Tell  Mr.  Beaujou,  the  slopseller,  to  come  here  directly 
with  some  clothes  for  him.  Is  Captain  Debriseau  here  ?  " 

"  He  is,  sir, — lost  all  his  last  cargo — obliged  to  throw  over 
in  deep  water." 

"  Never  mind ;  he  ran  the  two  before  ;  he  can  afford  it." 

"  Ah !  but  Captain  Debriseau  is  in  a  very  bad  humour 
nevertheless.  He  called  me  an  old  cheat  this  morning;  c'est 
incroyable." 

"Well,  present  my  compliments  to  him,  and  say  that  I 
request  the  honour  of  his  company,  if  he  is  not  otherwise 
engaged.  Come,  youngster." 

The  landlord  of  the  cabaret  ushered  the  captain  of  the 
sloop  and  our  hero,  with  many  profound  bows,  into  a  low, 
dark  room,  with  only  one  window,  the  light  from  which  was 
intercepted  by  a  high  wall  not  four  feet  distant.  The 
floor  was  paved  with  tiles;  the  table  was  deal,  not  very 
clean ;  and  the  whitewashed  walls  were  hung  around  with 
stiff  drawings  of  several  smuggling  vessels,  whose  superior 
sailing,  and  consequent  good  fortune,  had  rendered  them 
celebrated  in  the  port  of  Cherbourg.  The  straw  had  been 
lighted  under  some  logs  of  wood  on  the  hearth,  which  as  yet 
emitted  more  smoke  than  flame ;  a  few  chairs,  an  old  battered 
sofa,  and  an  upright  press  completed  the  furniture. 

"  I  knew  your  beautiful  sloop  long  before  she  came  in — 
there's  no  mistaking  her;  and  I  ordered  the  apartment  de 
Monsieur  to  be  prepared.  C'est  un  joli  appartement,  n'est-ce 
pas,  Monsieur  ?  So  retired  ! "  With  some  forbearance,  but 
with  great  judgment,  the  beauty  of  the  prospect  was  not 
expatiated  upon  by  the  obsequious  landlord. 

"  It  will  do  to  smoke  and  eat  in,  Mons.  Picardon,  and  that 
is  all  that  I  require.  Now  bring  pipes  and  tobacco,  and  take 
my  message  to  Captain  Debriseau." 

The  latter  gentleman  and  the  pipes  were  ushered  in  at  the 
same  moment. 

"  M'Elvina,  my  dear  fellow,  I  am  glad  to  see  that  you 
have  had  better  luck  than  I  have  had  this  last  trip.  Curses  on 
54 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  cutter.  Sacristie  !  "  continued  Captain  Debriseau,  who  was 
a  native  of  Guernsey,  "  the  wind  favoured  her  three  points 
after  we  were  about,  or  I  should  have  doubled  him — ay,  and 
have  doubled  the  weight  of  the  leathern  bag  too.  Sacre  nom  de 
Die*  !  "  continued  he,  grinding  his  teeth  and  pulling  a  handful 
of  hair  out  of  his  rough  head,  which  could  have  spared  as 
much  as  Absalom  used  to  poll,  "  que  $a  me  fait  bisquer." 

"  Bah  !  laissez  aller,  man  ami — sit  down  and  take  a  pipe," 
rejoined  our  captain.  "  This  is  but  pettifogging  work  at  the 
best ;  it  won't  pay  for  the  means  of  resistance.  My  lugger 
will  be  ready  in  May,  and  then  I'll  see  what  a  revenue  cutter 
is  made  of.  I  was  at  Ostend  last  Christmas,  and  saw  her. 
By  Jove !  she's  a  beauty !  She  was  planked  above  the 
watermark  then^  and  must  be  nearly  ready  for  launching  by 
this  time.  1*11  pass  through  the  Race  but  once  more ;  then 
adieu  to  dark  nights  and  south-west  gales,  and  huzza  for  a 
row  of  teeth,  with  the  will,  as  well  as  the  power,  to  bite. 
Sixteen  long  nines,  my  boy ! " 

"Quickreturns,  though — quick  returns, messmate," answered 
Debriseau,  referring  to  the  Cherbourg  system  of  smuggling, 
which,  being  his  own  means  of  livelihood,  he  did  not  like  to 
hear  disparaged. 

For  the  benefit  of  those  who  have  no  objection  to  unite  a 
little  information  with  amusement,  I  shall  here  enter  into  a 
few  remarks  relative  to  the  smuggling  carried  on  between 
the  port  of  Cherbourg  and  our  own  coast,  premising  that  my 
readers  have  my  entire  approbation  to  skip  over  a  page  or 
two  if  they  are  not  anxious  to  know  anything  about  these 
nefarious  transactions. 

The  port  of  Cherbourg,  from  its  central  situation,  is  better 
adapted  than  any  other  in  France  for  carrying  on  this  trade 
with  the  southern  coast  of  England.  The  nearest  port  to  it, 
and  at  which,  therefore,  the  smuggling  is  principally  carried 
on,  is  the  Bill  of  Portland,  near  to  the  fashionable  watering- 
place  of  Weymouth. 

The  vessels  employed  in  this  contraband  trade,  of  which 
gin  is  the  staple  commodity,  are  generally  small  luggers  or 
sloops,  from  forty  to  sixty  tons  burthen.  In  fine  summer 
weather  row-boats  are  occasionally  employed ;  but  as  the  not 
is  only  of  twenty-four  hours'  duration,  the  dark  nights  and 
south-west  gales  are  what  are  chiefly  depended  upon. 
55 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

These  vessels  are  not  armed  with  an  intention  to  resist ;  if 
they  are  perceived  by  the  cruisers  or  revenue  vessels  before 
they  arrive  on  the  English  coast,  and  are  pursued,  they  are 
obliged  (if  not  able  to  escape,  from  superior  sailing)  to  throw 
over  their  cargo  in  "  deep  water,"  and  it  is  lost.  The  cargo 
is  thrown  overboard  to  avoid  the  penalty  and  imprisonment 
to  which  it  would  subject  the  crew,  as  well  as  the  confiscation 
of  the  vessel  and  cargo.  If  they  reach  the  English  coast,  and 
are  chased  by  the  revenue  vessels,  or  have  notice  by  signals 
from  their  agents  on  shore  that  they  are  discovered,  and  cannot 
land  their  cargoes,  they  take  the  exact  bearings  and  distances 
of  several  points  of  land,  and  with  heavy  stones  sink  their  tubs 
of  spirits,  which  are  always  strung  upon  a  hawser  like  a  row 
of  beads.  There  the  cargo  is  left,  until  they  have  an  oppor- 
tunity of  going  off  in  boats  to  creep  for  it,  which  is  by  dragging 
large  hooks  at  the  bottom  until  they  catch  the  hawser  and 
regain  possession  of  their  tubs.  Such  is  the  precision  with 
which  their  marks  are  taken,  and  their  dexterity  from  continual 
practice,  that  they  seldom  fail  to  recover  their  cargo.  The 
profits  of  this  conti-aband  trade  are  so  great,  that  if  two  cargoes 
are  lost,  a  third  safely  landed  will  indemnify  the  owners. 

I  must  now  observe,  much  to  the  discredit  of  the  parties 
who  are  concerned,  that  this  contraband  trade  is  not  carried 
on  by  individuals,  but  by  a  company ;  one  hundred  pound 
shares  are  taken  of  "  a  speculation,"  the  profits  of  which  are 
divided  yearly  ;  and  many  individuals  residing  on  the  coast, 
who  would  be  thought  incapable  of  lending  themselves  to 
^uch  transactions,  are  known  to  be  deeply  interested. 

The  smuggling  from  Havre  and  Ostend,  &c.,  is  confined  to 
the  coast  of  Ireland  and  the  northern  shores  of  England  ;  the 
cargoes  are  assorted  and  of  great  value ;  and  as  the  voyage 
and  risk  are  greater,  they  are  generally  fast-sailing  vessels, 
well  manned  and  armed,  to  enable  them  to  offer  resistance, 
when  the  disparity  of  force  is  not  too  great  on  their  side. 

Cipjain  M'Elvina  had  taken  up  the  smuggling  trade 
between  Cherbourg  and  Portland  to  keep  himself  employed 
until  a  fine  lugger  of  sixteen  guns,  the  command  of 'which 
had  been  promised  to  him,  and  which  was  intended  to  run 
between  Havre  and  the  coast  of  Ireland,  should  be  ready ; 
whereas  Captain  Debriseau  had  been  all  his  life  employed 
in  the  Cherbourg  trade,  and  had  no  intention  of  quitting  it. 
56 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Out  what  have  you  got  there,  Mac  ? "  said  Debriseau, 
pointing  with  his  pipe  to  our  hero,  who  sat  on  the  leathern 
sofa,  rolled  up  in  his  uncouth  attire.  "  Is  it  a  bear  or  a  boy  ?  " 

"  A  boy  that  I  picked  up  from  a  wreck.  I  am  thinking 
what  I  shall  do  with  him  ;  he  is  a  smart,  bold  lad." 

"By  Jupiter!"  rejoined  Debriseau,  "I'll  make  him  my 
Ganymede,  till  he  grows  older." 

Had  Willy  been  as  learned  in  mythology  as  Captain 
Debriseau,  he  might  have  informed  him  that  he  had  served 
in  that  capacity  in  his  last  situation  under  Mr  Bullock ;  but 
although  the  names,  as  appertaining  to  a  ship,  were  not  un- 
known to  him,  yet  the  attributes  of  the  respective  parties 
were  a  part  of  his  education  that  old  Adams  had  omitted. 

"  He  will  be  fit  for  anything,"  rejoined  our  captain,  "if  he 
will  only  be  honest." 

"  M'Elvina,"  said  Debriseau,  "you  always  have  these  words 
in  your  mouth,  '  Be  honest.'  Now  as,  between  ourselves,  I  do 
not  think  that  either  you  or  I  are  leading  very  honest  lives, 
allow  me  to  ask  you  why  you  continually  harp  upon  honesty 
when  we  are  alone  ?  I  can  easily  understand  the  propriety 
of  shamming  a  little  before  the  world." 

"  Debriseau,  had  any  other  man  said  half  as  much,  I  would 
have  started  my  grog  in  his  face.  It's  no  humbug  on  my 
part.  I  mean  it  sincerely ;  and,  to  prove  it,  I  will  now  give 
you  a  short  sketch  of  my  life ;  and  after  you  have  heard  it, 
I  have  no  doubt  but  that  you  will  acknowledge,  with  me,  the 
truth  of  the  old  adage,  that  '  Honesty  is  the  best  policy.'  " 

But  Captain  M'Elvina  must  have  a  chapter  to  himself. 


CHAPTER  X 

He  hath  as  fine  a  hand  at  picking  a  pocket  as  a  woman,  and  is  as 
nimble-fingered  as  a  juggler.  If  an  unlucky  session  does  not  cut  the 
i  ope  of  his  life,  I  pronounce  he  will  be  a  great  man  in  history. — Beggar's 
Opera. 

IT  is  an  old  proverb  that  'one  half  of  the  world  do  not  know 
//'.'«?  the  other  half  live.'  Add  to  it,  nor  where  they  live,  and 
it  will  be  as  true.  There  is  a  class  of  people,  of  whose  exist- 
ence the  public  are  too  well  aware,  but  of  whose  resorts  and 
57 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

manners  and  customs  among  their  own  fraternity  they  are 
quite  as  ignorant  now  as  they  were  one  hundred  years  back. 
Like  the  Chinese  and  the  castes  of  the  East,  they  never  change 
their  profession,  but  bequeath  it  from  father  to  son,  as  an  en- 
tailed estate  from  which  they  are  to  derive  their  subsistence. 
The  class  to  which  I  refer  consists  of  those  members  of  the 
community  at  large  who  gain  their  livelihood  by  inserting 
their  hands  into  the  pockets  of  other  people.  Not  but  that 
all  the  world  are  doing  the  same  thing,  and  have,  since  the 
creation ;  but  then  it  is  only  as  amateurs ; — the  class  that  I 
refer  to  do  it  professionally,  which,  you  must  observe,  makes 
a  wide  difference.  From  this  class  I  am  lineally  descended, 
and  at  an  early  age  was  duly  initiated  into  all  the  mysteries 
of  my  profession.  I  could  filch  a  handkerchief  as  soon  as  I 
was  high  enough  to  reach  a  pocket,  and  was  declared  to  be  a 
most  promising  child. 

"I  must  do  my  father  and  mother  the  justice  to  acknow- 
ledge, that  while  they  initiated  me  in  the  mysteries  of  my 
future  profession,  they  did  not  attempt  to  conceal  that  there 
were  certain  disagreeable  penalties  attached  to  '  greatness ; ' 
but  when  prepared  from  our  earliest  years,  we  look  forward 
to  our  fate  with  resignation ;  and,  as  I  was  invariably  told, 
after  my  return  from  some  daring  feat,  that  my  life  would  be 
a  short  and  a  merry  one,  I  was  not  dismayed  at  the  words  of 
my  prophetic  mother,  who  observed,  '  Patrick,  my  boy,  if  you 
don't  wish  to  bring  my  grey  hairs  with  sorrow  to  the  grave, 
promise  me  to  confine  yourself  to  picking  pockets ;  you  will 
then  only  be  transported.  But  if  you  try  your  hand  at  higher 
work,  you'll  be  hung  before  you're  twenty.'  My  father,  when 
I  returned  with  a  full  assorted  cargo,  and  emptied  my  pockets 
into  his  hands  with  as  much  rapidity  as  I  had  transferred  the 
contents  of  others  into  my  own,  used  to  look  at  me  with  a 
smile  of  pride  and  satisfaction,  and  shaking  his  head,  would 
exclaim,  '  Pat,  you'll  certainly  be  hung.' 

"  Accustomed,  therefore,  from  my  infancy  to  consider 
twenty  summers,  instead  of  threescore  years  and  ten,  as  the 
allotted  space  of  my  existence,  I  looked  forward  to  my  exit 
from  this  world  by  the  new  drop  with  the  same  placidity  as 
the  nobleman  awaits  the  time  appointed  for  the  entrance  of 
his  body  into  the  vault  containing  the  dust  of  his  ancestors. 
At  the  age  of  eleven  years  I  considered  myself  a  full-grown 
58 


THE   KING'S. OWN 

man,  dared  all  that  man  could  do,  and  was  a  constant  but 
unwilling  attendant  upon  the  police-office,  where  my  youth, 
and  the  promises  of  my  mother  that  I  should  be  reformed, 
assisted  by  showers  of  tears  on  her  part,  and  by  apparent 
ingenuousness  on  mine,  frequently  pleaded  in  my  favour  with 
the  prosecutors. 

"  I  often  lamented,  when  at  that  early  age,  that  my  want 
of  education  prevented  me  from  attempting  the  higher  walks 
of  our  profession ;  but  this  object  of  my  ambition  was  gained 
at  last  I  had  taken  a  pocket-book  from  a  worthy  Quaker, 
and,  unfortunately,  was  perceived  by  a  man  at  a  shop-window, 
who  came  out,  collared  and  delivered  me  into  the  hands  of 
the  prim  gentleman.  Having  first  secured  his  property,  he 
then  walked  with  me  and  a  police-officer  to  Bow  Street.  My 
innocent  face  and  my  tears  induced  the  old  gentleman,  who 
was  a  member  of  the  Philanthropic  Society,  not  only  not  to 
prefer  the  charge  against  me,  but  to  send  me  to  the  institution 
at  Blackfriars  Road. 

"  I  made  rapid  progress  under  their  tuition,  and  after  three 
years'  close  application  on  my  part,  and  continual  inculcation 
on  the  part  of  my  instructors  of  the  distinction  between  meum 
and  tttum,  I  was  considered  not  only  a  very  clever  boy,  but  a 
reformed  character.  The  Quaker  gentleman  who  had  placed 
me  in  the  institution,  and  who  was  delighted  with  the  suc- 
cessful results  of  his  own  penetration,  selected  me  as  his 
servant,  and  took  me  home." 

"Well,  I'm  glad  you  were  so  soon  reformed,"  said  De- 
briseau.  "  Where  the  devil's  my  handkerchief?  " 

"Oh,  I've  not  got  it,"  answered  M'Elvina,  laughing. 
"  But  you  are  as  much  mistaken  now  as  the  Quaker  was  at 
that  time.  A  wild  beast  may  be  tamed,  and  will  remain 
so  provided  he  be  not  permitted  again  to  taste  blood. 
Then  all  his  ferocious  propensities  will  reappear,  and  prove 
that  his  education  has  been  thrown  away.  So  it  was  with 
me.  At  first  I  felt  no  desire  to  return  to  my  old  employ- 
ment, and  had  not  my  master  trusted  me  too  much,  I  might 
have  remained  honest  You  often  hear  masters  exclaiming 
against  the  dishonesty  of  servants.  I  know  it  to  be  a  feet 
that  most  of  them  have  been  made  dishonest  by  the  careless- 
ness of  their  employers  in  having  allowed  temptations  to 
lie  in  their  way  which  were  too  strong  to  be  resisted.  My 
59 


THK  .KING'S   OWN 

master  used  to  send  me  up  to  his  bureau  for  small  sums 
which  he  required  out  of  a  yellow  canvas  bag  full  of  gold 
and  silver.  I  am  convinced  that  he  frequently  used  to  give 
me  the  key,  when  in  company  with  his  friends,  in  order 
that,  after  I  had  left  the  room,  he  might  tell  my  history 
and  prove  the  beneficial  effects  of  the  society.  One  day  the 
yellow  bag  and  I  both  disappeared. 

"  I  threw  off  the  modest  grey  coat  in  which  I  was  equipped, 
and  soon  procured  more  fashionable  attire.  I  looked  in  the 
glass  and  scarcely  knew  myself;  I  had,  therefore,  no  fear 
of  being  recognised  by  my  former  master.  Not  wishing  to  be 
idle,  I  hired  myself  out  as  tiger  and  valet  to  a  young  noble- 
man, who  was  spending  ten  thousand  pounds  a  year  upon 
an  allowance  of  seven  hundred.  He  was  a  complete  roue, 
and  I  must  gratefully  own  that  I  learnt  a  great  deal  from 
him,  independently  of  the  secret  of  tying  my  neckcloth  cor- 
rectly; but  we  soon  parted." 

"  How  was  that  ?  "  said  Debriseau,  knocking  the  ashes  out 
of  his  pipe. 

"  Why,  he  had  several  diamond  rings,  and  as  he  only  wore 
two  or  three  at  a  time,  I  sported  the  others  at  our  parties. 
A  malicious  fellow,  who  was  envious  of  the  dash  I  cut,  observed 
in  my  hearing  that  it  was  impossible  to  tell  real  stones  from  good 
paste.  I  took  the  hint,  and  one  by  one  the  diamonds  vanished 
and  paste  usurped  their  places.  Shortly  after,  the  creditors, 
not  being  able  to  touch  my  master's  money  or  his  person, 
seized  his  effects,  and  the  diamond  rings  were  almost  the  only 
articles  which  escaped.  My  master,  who  always  looked  out 
for  a  rainy  day,  had  collected  these  rings  as  a  sort  of  stand- 
by, to  '  raise  the  wind '  when  required.  By  ill  luck  he  took 
them  to  the  same  jeweller  who  had  been  employed  by  me 
to  substitute  the  paste,  and  to  whom  I  had  sold  the  real 
stones.  He  came  home  in  a  great  rage,  accused  me  of  dis- 
honesty, and  sent  for  a  constable.  I  told  him  that  I  did  not 
consider  his  conduct  to  be  that  of  a  gentleman,  and  wished 
him  good  morning.  I  had  indeed  intended  to  quit  him,  as  he 
was  done  up,  and  only  waited  his  return  to  tell  him  so.  I  had 
moved  my  trunks,  accordingly,  before  he  was  out  of  bed.  I  be- 
lieve a  few  of  his  suits  and  some  of  his  linen  were  put  in  with 
mine  in  my  extreme  haste ;  but  then  he  owed  me  wages. 

"When  I  wished  his  lordship  good  morning,  I  certainly 
60 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

imagined  that  I  had  little  more  to  learn,  bat  I  must  acknow- 
ledge that  I  was  mistaken.  I  knew  that  there  was  a  club 
established  for  sen-ants  out  of  place,  and  had  been  a  sub- 
scriber for  two  years,  as  there  were  many  advantages  arising 
from  it,  independently  of  economy.  I  was  now  a  member 
by  right,  which  as  long  as  I  was  in  place  I  was  not.  To 
this  club  I  repaired,  and  I  soon  found  that  I,  who  fancied 
myself  perfect,  was  but  a  tyro  in  the  profession.  It  was  a 
grand  school  certainly,  and  well  organised.  We  had  our 
president,  vice-president,  auditors  of  accounts,  corresponding 
members,  and  our  secretary.  Our  seal  was  a  bunch  of  green 
poplar  rods,  with  'Service  if  no  inheritance '  as  a  motto. 

"  But  not  to  weary  you  with  a  life  of  adventures  which 
would  fill  volumes,  I  shall  merely  state  that  I  was  in  place, 
out  of  place,  following  up  my  profession  in  every  way  with 
great  credit  among  our  fraternity,  until  one  day  I  found 
myself,  after  a  tedious  confinement  in  Newgate,  decorated 
with  a  yellow  jacket  and  pair  of  fetters,  on  board  of  a  vessel 
of  three  hundred  tons  burthen,  bound  to  New  South  Wales. 
We  sailed  for  Sydney,  where  I  had  been  recommended,  by 
the  gentleman  in  a  large  wig,  to  remain  seven  years  for 
change  of  air.  The  same  night  that  the  vessel  came  into 
the  Cove,  having  more  liberty  than  the  rest  of  my  shipmates 
(from  my  good  behaviour  during  the  passage),  I  evaded  the 
sentry,  and  slipping  down  by  the  cable  into  the  water, 
swam  to  a  ship  lying  near,  which,  I  had  been  informed,  was 
to  sail  on  the  ensuing  day  for  India. 

"  The  captain,  being  very  short  of  hands,  headed  me  up  in 
a  qpsk ;  and,  although  the  vessel  was  not  permitted  to  sail 
until  very  strict  search  had  been  made  for  me,  I  was  not 
discovered,  and  it  was  supposed  that  I  had  been  drowned  in 
making  the  attempt  Aware  that  it  would  not  be  good  for 
my  health  to  return  previously  to  the  expiration  of  the  seven 
years,  I  determined  to  learn  a  new  profession — that  of  a  sailor, 
for  which  I  always  had  a  predilection ;  besides,  it  quieted  my 
conscience  as  to  the  impropriety  of  not  submitting  to  the  just 
punishment  of  the  law,  as  you  will  acknowledge  that  seven 
years  at  sea  and  seven  years'  transportation  are  one  and  the 
same  thing.  From  Batavia  I  went  to  Calcutta,  and  worked 
before  the  mast  in  the  country  vessels  to  Bombay  and  the 
Persian  Gulf  for  four  years  when  I  thought  myself  capable  of 
61 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

caking  higher  rank  in  the  service,  if  I  could  get  it,  especially 
as  I  had  picked  up  sufficient  navigation  to  be  able  to  work 
the  ship's  reckoning. 

"At  Calcutta  I  obtained  a  situation  as  second  mate  of  a 
fast-sailing  schooner  employed  in  the  smuggling  of  opium  into 
China,  and,  after  three  voyages,  rose  to  the  office  of  chief 
mate.  Had  I  remained  another  voyage  I  should  have  been 
captain  of  the  vessel ;  but  my  seven  years  were  out,  and  I 
was  anxious  to  return  to  England  and  look  the  '  Robin  Red- 
breasts'  boldly  in  the  face.  I  had  saved  enough  money  to 
pay  my  passage,  and  was  determined  to  go  home  like  a 
gentleman,  if  I  had  not  exactly  gone  out  in  that  character. 
What  little  cash  remained  after  my  passage  was  paid  I  lost 
at  play  to  an  army  officer  who  was  returning  in  the  same 
ship. 

"  When  I  landed  at  Portsmouth,  I  retained  a  suit  of  '  long 
togs/  as  we  call  them,  and  disposing  of  all  the  rest  of  my 
stock  to  the  Jews,  I  started  for  London.  On  my  arrival  I 
found  that  my  father  and  mother  were  both  dead,  and  I  was 
meditating  upon  my  future  course  of  life,  when  an  accident 
determined  me.  I  picked  up  a  pocket-book." — (Here  Captain 
Debriseau  eyed  him  hard.) — "  I  know  what  you  mean,"  con- 
tinued M'Elvina,  "  but  it  was  on  the  pavement,  and  not  in  a 
pocket,  as  you  would  imply  by  your  looks.  It  was  full  of  slips 
and  scraps  of  paper  of  all  sorts,  which  I  did  not  take  the 
trouble  to  read.  The  only  available  articles  it  contained 
were  three  one-pound  notes.  The  owner's  name  and  address 
were  written  on  the  first  blank  leaf.  I  cannot  tell  what 
possessed  me,  but  I  had  an  irresistible  desire  to  be  honest 
once  in  my  life,  and  the  temptation  to  be  otherwise  not  being 
very  great,  I  took  the  pocket-book  to  the  address,  and  arrived 
at  the  house  just  as  the  old  gentleman  to  whom  it  belonged 
was  giving  directions  to  have  it  advertised.  He  was  in  evi- 
dent perturbation  at  his  loss,  and  I  came  just  at  the  fortunate 
moment.  He  seized  his  book  with  rapture,  examined  all  the 
papers,  and  counted  over  the  bills  and  notes. 

"  '  Honesty  is  a  scarce  commodity,  young  man/  said  he  as 
he  passed  the  leathern  tongue  of  the  book  through  the  strap. 
'  You  have  brought  me  my  book  without  waiting  till  a  reward 
was  offered.  I  desired  my  clerk  to  offer  twenty  guineas  in 
the  advertisement ;  I  will  now  give  you  a  larger  sum.'  He 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

sat  down,  opened  a  cheque-book,  and  wrote  me  a  draft  on  his 
banker.  It  was  for  one  hundred  pounds  !  I  was  profuse  in 
my  acknowledgments,  while  he  replaced  his  book  in  his  inside 
pocket  and  buttoned  up  his  coat.  '  Honesty  is  a  scarce  com- 
modity, young  man/  repeated  he  ;  (  call  here  to-morrow  at  one 
o'clock,  and  I  will  see  if  I  can  be  of  any  further  sen  ice  to  you.' 

"  I  returned  to  my  lodgings  in  a  very  thoughtful  mood.  I 
was  astonished  at  the  old  man's  generosity,  and  still  more  at 
my  having  honestly  obtained  so  large  a  sum.  I  went  to  bed, 
and  reflected  on  what  had  passed.  The  words  of  the  old 
gentleman  still  rang  in  my  ears — '  Honesty  is  a  scarce  com- 
modity.' I  communed  with  myself.  Here  have  I  been 
nearly  all  my  life  exercising  all  my  talents,  exerting  all  my 
energies,  in  dishonest  practices,  and  when  did  I,  even  at  the 
most  successful  hit,  obtain  as  much  money  as  I  have  by  an 
honest  act  ?  I  recalled  the  many  days  of  anxious  waiting 
that  I  had  found  necessary  to  accomplish  a  scheme  of  fraud — 
the  doubtful  success — the  necessity  of  satisfying  my  associates 
— the  inability  of  turning  into  ready  money  the  articles  pur- 
loined until  the  hue-and-cry  was  over — the  trifling  sum  which 
I  was  obliged  to  take  from  the  purchasers  of  stolen  articles, 
who  knew  that  I  was  at  their  mercy — the  destitute  condition 
I  occasionally  was  in,  and  the  life  of  constant  anxiety  that  I 
had  led.  These  reflections  forced  the  truth  upon  my  mind 
that  there  was  more,  in  the  end,  to  be  gained  by  honesty  than 
by  roguery. 

"  Once  convinced,  I  determined  to  lead  a  new  life,  and 
from  that  moment  I  assumed  as  my  motto,  '  Honesty  is  the 
best  policy.'  Do  you  hear,  youngster? — always  be  honest." 


CHAPTER  XI 

Through  tattered  clothes  small  vices  do  appear ; 
Robes  and  furred  gowns  hide  all.  Lear. 

W  ILLY,  who  was  tired  out  with  the  extreme  mental  and 
bodily  exertion  that  he  had  undergone,  gave  no  answer  to 
M'Elvina's    injunction,  except   a  loud  snore,  which  satisfied 
the  captain  that  his  caution  in  this  instance  was  not  heard. 
63 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Well,"  said  Debriseau  after  a  short  pause,  "  how  long  did 
this  honest  fit  last  ?  " 

"What  do  you  mean?  How  long  did  it  last?  Why,  it 
has  lasted,  Captain  Debriseau — it  has  lasted  until  now ;  and 
shall  last,  too,  as  long  as  this  frame  of  mine  shall  hold  to- 
gether. But  to  proceed.  The  next  morning  I  called  upon 
the  old  gentleman  according  to  his  request.  He  again  told 
me  'honesty  was  a  scarce  commodity.'  I  could  have  in- 
formed him  that  it  had  always  been  so  with  me,  but  I  kept 
my  own  counsel.  He  then  asked  me  what  were  my  pro- 
fession and  pursuits.  Now,  as  I  had  two  professions  to 
choose  between,  and  as  my  last  was  considered  to  be  just  as 
abundant  in  the  commodity  he  prized  so  much,  as  my  former 
one  was  known  to  be  deficient,  I  replied  that  I  was  a  sea- 
faring man.  'Then  I  may  find  some  employment  for  you,' 
replied  the  old  gentleman ;  and  having  put  several  questions 
to  me  as  to  the  nature  of  the  service  I  had  seen,  he  desired 
me  to  take  a  walk  till  three  o'clock,  when  he  would  be  happy 
to  see  me  at  dinner.  'We'll  then  be  able  to  have  a  little 
conversation  together  without  being  overheard.' 

"  I  was  exact  to  my  appointment,  and  my  old  friend,  who 
was  punctuality  itself,  did  not  allow  me  to  remain  in  the 
parlour  two  minutes  before  dinner  was  on  the  table.  As 
soon  as  it  was  over,  he  dismissed  the  servant-girl  who  at- 
tejided,  and  turned  the  key  in  the  door.  After  sounding  me 
on  many  points  during  a  rapid  discussion  of  the  first  bottle 
of  port,  he  proceeded  to  inform  me  that  a  friend  of  his 
wanted  a  smart  fellow  as  captain  of  a  vessel,  if  I  would  like 
the  employment.  This  suited  me;  and  he  then  observed 
that  I  must  have  some  notion  of  how  officers  were  managed, 
as  I  had  been  in  the  China  trade,  and  that  he  thought  that 
the  vessel  was  to  be  fpnployed  in  the  contraband  trade  on 
the  English  coast. 

"This  startled  me  a  little,  for  I  was  afraid  that  the  old 
gentleman  was  laying  a  trap  for  my  newly  acquired  com- 
modity ;  and  I  was  about  to  refuse  with  some  slight  show  of 
indignation,  when  I  perceived  a  change  in  his  countenance 
indicative  of  disappointment ;  so  I  only  demurred  until  he 
had  sufficient  time  to  prove  that  there  was  no  dishonesty 
in  the  transaction,  when,  being  convinced  that  he  was  in 
earnest,  I  consented.  Before  the  second  bottle  was  finished 
64 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

I  found  out  that  it  was  not  for  a  friend,  but  for  himself,  and 
for  one  of  his  own  vessels,  that  he  was  anxious  to  procure  a 
smart  captain ;  and  that  he  had  a  large  capital  embarked  in 
the  concern,  which  was  very  profitable.  The  pocket-book 
which  I  had  returned  was  of  no  little  importance ;  had  it 
fallen  into  other  hands,  it  might  have  told  tales. 

"I  have  now  been  three  years  in  the  old  gentleman's 
employ,  and  a  generous,  good  master  he  has  been ;  and  his 
daughter  is  a  sweet,  pretty  girl.  I  lost  my  last  vessel,  but  not 
until  she  had  cleared  him  £10,000;  and  now  the  old  gentle- 
man is  building  me  another  at  Havre.  Not  to  be  quite  idle, 
I  have  in  the  meantime  taken  command  of  one  of  their  sloops  ; 
for  the  old  gentleman  has  a  good  many  shares  in  the  specu- 
lation, and  his  recommendations  are  always  attended  to." 

"  Void,  Monsieur  Beaujou,  avec  les  habits,"  said  the  maitre 
(Tauberge,  opening  the  door  and  ushering  in  the  marchand 
des  modes  maritimes  with  a  huge  bundle. 

"  Now  then,  boy,  rouse  out/'  said  M'Elvina,  shaking  our 
hero  for  a  long  while,  without  any  symptoms  of  recovering 
him  from  his  lethargy. 

"  Try  him  on  the  other  tack,"  said  the  captain,  lifting  him 
off  the  sofa  and  placing  him  upright  on  his  legs. 

"  There's  no  sugar  in  it  yet,"  said  Willy,  who  was  dreaming 
that  he  was  supplying  the  mulled  claret  to  the  old  master's 
mate. 

"  Ah  !  "  said  Debriseau,  laughing,  "  he  thinks  his  mamma  is 
giving  him  his  tea." 

"  The  lying  little  rascal  told  me  this  morning  that  he  had 
no  mother.  Come,  Mr.  William  Seymour,  I  believe"  (mimick- 
ing)— "  officer,  I  believe.  Oh,  you're  a  nice,  honest  boy.  Have 
you  a  mother,  or  do  you  tell  fibs  in  your  sleep  as  well  as 
awake  ?  '  Be  honest.'  " 

The  last  words,  that  Willy  had  heard  repeated  so  often 
during  the  day,  not  only  unsealed  his  eyes,  but  recalled  to  his 
recollection  where  he  was. 

"  Now,  my  youngster,  let  us  rig  you  out ;  you  recollect  you 
stated  that  you  were  going  home  for  your  outfit,  and  now 
I'll  give  you  one,  that  you  may  have  one  fib  less  on  your 
conscience." 

By  the  generosity  of  M'Elvina,  Willy  was  soon  fitted  with 
two  suits  of  clothes,  requiring  little  alteration,  and  Mr. 
65  E 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

Beaujou,  having  received  a  further  order  for  a  supply  of  shirts 
and  other  articles  necessary  to  complete  the  outfit,  made  his 
bow  and  disappeared. 

The  two  captains  resumed  their  chairs,  and  our  hero  again 
coiled  himself  on  the  sofa,  and  in  one  minute  was  as  sound 
asleep  as  before. 

"  And  now,  M'Elvina,"  resumed  Debriseau,  "  I  should  like 
to  know  by  what  arguments  your  employer  contrived  to  recon- 
cile your  present  vocation  with  your  punctilious  regard  for 
honesty.  For  I  must  confess,  for  my  own  part,  that  although 
I  have  followed  smuggling  as  a  livelihood,  I  have  never 
defended  it  as  an  honest  calling,  and  have  looked  forward 
with  occasional  impatience  to  the  time  when  I  should  be  able 
to  leave  it  off." 

"  Defend  it '  Why,  I'll  just  repeat  to  you  the  arguments 
used  by  the  old  gentleman.  They  convinced  me.  As  I  said 
before,  I  am  always  open  to  conviction.  Captain  Debriseau, 
you  will  acknowledge,  I  trust,  that  laws  are  made  for  the 
benefit  of  all  parties,  high  and  low,  rich  and  poor  ?  " 

''Granted." 

"You'll  allow,  also,  that  law-makers  should  not  be  law- 
breakers ;  and  that  if  they  are  so,  they  cannot  expect  that 
others  will  regard  what  they  disregard  themselves?" 

"  Granted  also." 

"  Once  more — by  the  laws  of  our  country,  the  receiver  is  as 
bad  as  the  thief,  and  they  who  instigate  others  to  commit  an 
offence  are  equally  guilty  with  the  offending  party," 

"  It  cannot  be  denied,"  replied  Debriseau. 

"Then  you  have  acceded  to  all  the  propositions  that  I 
wish,  and  we  shall  come  to  an  undeniable  and  mathematical 
conclusion.  Observe,  law-makers  should  not  be  law-breakers. 
Who  enacted  these  laws  ? — the  aristocracy  of  the  nation,  seated 
in  their  respective  Houses,  the  Lords  and  the  Commons.  Go, 
any  night  you  please,  to  the  Opera,  or  any  other  place  of 
public  resort  in  which  you  can  have  a  view  of  their  wives  and 
daughters.  I'll  stake  my  existence  that  every  female  there 
shall  be  dizened  out  in  some  contraband  article  of  dress — not 
one  but  shall  prove  to  be  a  receiver  of  smuggled  goods,  and, 
therefore,  as  bad  as  those  whom  they  have  instigated  to 
infringe  the  laws  of  their  country.  If  there  were  no  demand 
there  would  be  no  supply." 

66 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

*  Surely  they  don't  all  drink  gin  ?  "  replied  Debriseau. 

"  Drink  gin  !  You're  thinking  of  your  d d  Cherbourg 

trade ;  your  ideas  are  confined.  Is  there  nothing  smuggled 
besides  gin  ?  Now,  if  the  husbands  and  fathers  of  these  ladies — 
those  who  have  themselves  enacted  the  laws — wink  at  their 
infringement,  why  should  not  others  do  so  ?  The  only  distinc- 
tion between  the  equally  offending  parties  is,  that  those  who  are 
in  power — who  possess  all  the  comforts  and  luxuries  which 
this  world  can  afford — who  offend  the  laws  from  vanity  and 
caprice,  and  entice  the  needy  to  administer  to  their  love  of 
display,  are  protected  and  unpunished  ;  while  the  adventurous 
seaman,  whose  means  of  supporting  his  family  depend  upon 
his  administering  to  their  wishes,  or  the  poor  devil  who  is 
unfortunately  detected  with  a  gallon  of  spirits,  is  thrown  into 
jail  as  if  he  were  a  felon.  There  cannot  be  one  law  for  the 
rich  and  another  for  the  poor,  Debriseau.  When  I  hear  that 
the  wives  of  the  aristocracy  have  been  seized  by  the  revenue 
officers,  and  the  contraband  articles  which  they  wear  have 
been  taken  off  their  backs,  and  that  they  have  been  sentenced 
to  twelve  months'  imprisonment  by  a  committal  from  the 
magistrate,  then — and  not  till  then — will  I  acknowledge  our 
profession  to  be  dishonest." 

"  Very  true,"  said  Debriseau ;  "  it  shows  the  folly  of  men 
attempting  to  make  laws  for  their  masters." 

"  Is  it  not  shocking,"  continued  M'Elvina,  "  to  reflect  upon 
the  conduct  of  the  magistrate  who  has  just  sentenced  per- 
haps four  or  five  unhappy  wretches  to  a  dungeon  for  an 
offence  against  these  laws?  He  leaves  the  seat  of  justice, 
and  returns  to  the  bosom  of  his  family.  Hear  his  wife" 
(mimicking) — " « Well,  my  dear,  you're  come  at  last ;  dinner 
has  been  put  back  this  half-hour.  I  thought  you  would  never 
have  finished  with  those  odious  smugglers.'  'Why,  my  love, 
it  was  a  very  difficult  case  to  prove ;  but  we  managed  it  at 
last,  and  I  have  signed  the  warrant  for  their  committal  to 
the  county  jaiL  They're  sad,  troublesome  fellows,  these 
smugglers.'  Now  look  at  the  lady :  '  What  dress  is  that  you 
put  on  to  greet  your  husband  ? '  '  Gros  de  Naples  de  Lyon.' — 
'The  lace  it  is  trimmed  with?'  'Valenciennes.' — 'Your 
gloves,  madam  ? '  '  Fabrique  de  Paris.' — '  Your  ribands,  your 
shoes,  your  handkerchief?'  All,  all  contraband.  Worthy 
magistrate,  if  you  would  hold  the  scales  of  justice  with  an 
67 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

even  hand,  make  out  one  more  mittimus  before  you  sit  down  to 
table.  Send  your  wife  to  languish  a  twelvemonth  in  company 
with  the  poor  smugglers,  and  then  '  to  dinner  with  what  appe- 
tite you  may.'  And  now,  Debriseau,  have  I  convinced  you  that 
I  may  follow  my  present  calling,  and  still  say,  '  Be  honest '  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  I  think  we  both  may ;  but  would  not  this  evil 
be  removed  by  free  trade  ?" 

"  Heaven  forbid  !  "  replied  M'Elvina,  laughing  ;  "  then  there 
would  be  no  smuggling." 


CHAPTER  XII 

Love  me,  love  my  dog. 

Proverb. 

J.T  is  the  misfortune  of  those  who  have  been  in  constant 
habits  of  deceit  that  they  always  imagine  others  are  attempt- 
ing the  same  dishonest  practices.  For  some  time  M'Elvina 
felt  convinced  that  our  little  hero  had  swerved  from  truth  in 
the  account  which  he  gave  of  himself;  and  it  was  not  until 
after  repeated  catechisings,  in  which  he  found  that,  strange 
and  improbable  as  the  narrative  appeared,  Willy  never  altered 
from  or  contradicted  his  original  statement,  that  he  believed 
the  boy  to  be  as  honest  and  ingenuous  -as  might  have  been 
inferred  from  his  prepossessing  countenance. 

To  this  conviction,  however,  did  he  arrive  at  last ;  and  our 
hero — who  seemed  no  sooner  to  have  lost  one  protector  than 
to  have  the  good  fortune  to  find  another  —  became  the 
favourite  and  companion  of  his  new  captain,  instead  of  his 
domestic,  as  had  been  originally  contemplated.  A  lad  of 
Willy's  age,  who  is  treated  with  kindness  and  consideration, 
is  soon  attached,  and  becomes  reconciled  to  any  change  of 
circumstances.  It  was  a  matter  of  indifference  to  our  hero 
whether  he  was  on  the  quarter-deck  of  a  man-of-war  or  in 
the  cabin  of  a  smuggling  sloop.  Contented  with  his  present 
lot,  with  the  happy  thoughtlessness  of  youth,  he  never  per- 
mitted the  future  to  disturb  his  repose  or  affect  his  digestion. 

Willy  had  been  nearly  a  month  at  Cherbourg  when 
M'Elvina's  sloop  took  in  another  cargo.  "  Willy,"  said 
M'Elvina  one  evening  as  they  sat  together  in  the  apartment 
68 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

at  the  cabaret,  "to-morrow  I  shall,  in  all  probability,  sail  for 
the  English  coast.  I  have  been  thinking  what  I  shall  do 
with  you.  I  do  not  much  like  parting  with  you :  but,  on 
reflection,  I  think  it  will  be  better  that  I  should  leave  you 
behind.  You  can  be  of  no  use,  and  may  be  in  the  way  if  we 
should  be  obliged  to  take  to  our  boat." 

Willy  pleaded  hard  against  this  arrangement.  "  I  never 
have  a  friend  but  I  lose  him  directly,"  said  the  boy,  and  the 
tears  started  into  his  eyes. 

"  I  trust  you  will  not  lose  me,  my  dear  fellow."  replied 
M'Elvina,  moved  at  this  proof  of  affection  ;  "  but  I  must  ex- 
plain to  you  why  I  leave  you.  In  the  first  place,"  added  he, 
laughing,  "with  that  mark  on  your  shoulder,  it  would  be 
felony  without  benefit  of  clergy  for  you  to  be  found  in  mv 
possession ;  but  of  that  I  would  run  the  risk.  My  serious 
reasons  are  as  follow : — If  this  trip  proves  fortunate,  I  shall 
not  return  to  Cherbourg.  I  have  business  of  importance  in 
London,  which  may  require  my  presence  for  some  weeks  in 
that  metropolis  and  its  vicinity.  I  told  you  before  that  I  am 
about  to  take  the  command  of  a  very  different  vessel  from 
this  paltry  sloop,  and  upon  a  more  dangerous  service.  In 
four  or  five  months  she  will  be  ready  to  sail,  and  during  that 
time  I  shall  be  constantly  on  the  move,  and  shall  hardly 
know  what  to  do  with  you.  Now,  Willy,  you  are  not  aware 
of  the  advantages  of  education — I  am  ;  and  as  mine  was 
given  to  me  by  strangers,  so  will  I  in  return  bestow  as  much 
upon  you  as  I  can  afford.  You  must,  therefore,  go  to  school 
until  my  return.  You  will  at  least  acquire  the  French  language, 
and  you  will  find  that  of  no  little  use  to  you  hereafter." 

W'illy,  accustomed  to  discipline  and  to  breathe  the  air  of 
passive  obedience,  submitted  without  raising  any  more  objec- 
tions. Debriseau  joined,  and  they  all  three  sallied  forth  to 
make  arrangements  for  placing  our  hero  en  pension  where 
they  had  been  recommended.  Having  effected  this,  they 
agreed  to  lounge  on  the  Place  d'Armes  till  sunset,  when  they 
took  possession  of  one  of  the  benches.  M'Elvina  and 
Debriseau  lighted  their  cigars  and  puffed  away  in  silence, 
while  Willy  amused  himself  with  watching  the  promenaders 
as  they  passed  in  review  before  him. 

They  had  not  remained  there  many  minutes  when  a  poodle- 
dog,  bten  tendu,  and  white  as  a  sheep  from  the  river  before 
69 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

the  day  of  shearing,  walked  up  to  them  with  an  air  of 
sagacious  curiosity,  and  looked  M'Elvina  steadfastly  in  the 
face.  M'Elvina,  taking  his  cigar  from  his  mouth,  held  it  to 
the  dog,  who  ran  up  to  it,  as  if  to  smell  it ;  the  lighted  end 
coming  in  contact  with  his  cold  nose  induced  the  animal  to 
set  up  a  loud  yell  and  retreat  to  his  master  much  faster  than 
he  came,  passing  first  one  fore-paw  and  then  the  other  over 
his  nose,  to  wipe  away  the  pain,  in  such  a  ridiculous  manner 
as  to  excite  loud  merriment,  not  only  from  our  party  on  the 
bench,  but  also  from  others  who  had  witnessed  the  scene. 

"  So  much  for  curiosity,"  said  M'Elvina,  continuing  his 
mirth.  The  proprietor  of  the  dog,  a  young  Frenchman, 
dressed  very  much  en  calicot,  did  not,  however,  seem  quite 
so  much  amused  with  this  practical  joke ;  he  cocked  his  hat 
fiercely  on  one  side,  raised  his  figure  to  the  utmost  of  its 
height,  and  walking  up  en  grand  militaire,  addressed  M'Elvina 
with  "  Comment,  monsieur,  vans  avez  fait  une  grande  betise-la  ; 
vous  m'insultez " 

"  I  think  I  had  better  not  understand  French,"  said 
M'Elvina  aside  to  Debriseau;  then  turning  to  the  French- 
man with  a  grave  face  and  air  of  incomprehension — "  What 
did  you  say,  sir  ?  " 

"  Ah  !  you  are  Inglisman.     You  not  speak  French  ?  " 

M'Elvina  shook  his  head  and  began  to  puff  away  at  his 
cigar. 

"  Den,  sare,  if  you  not  speak  de  French  language,  I  speak 
de  Inglis  like  von  natif,  and  I  tell  you,  sare,  que  vous  m'avez 
insulte.  Got  for  dam  !  you  burnt  my  dog  nose ;  vat  you 
mean,  sare  ?  " 

"  The  dog  burnt  his  own  nose,"  answered  M'Elvina  mildly. 

"  Vat  you  mean  ?  De  dog  burnt  his  own  nose  !  How  is  a 
dog  cap-able  to  burn  his  own  nose  ?  Sare,  you  put  de  cigar 
to  my  dog  nose.  I  must  have  de  satisfaction  or  de  apology 
tout  de  suite." 

"  But,  sir,  I  have  not  insulted  you." 

"  Sare,  you  insult  my  dog ;  he  is  von  and  de  same  ting — 
mon  chien  est  un  chien  de  sentiment.  He  feel  de  affront  all  de 
same  vid  me  ;  I  feel  de  affront  all  de  same  vid  him.  Vous 
naves  qu'd  choisir,  monsieur." 

"  Between  you  and  your  dog  ?  "  answered  M'Elvina.    "  Well, 
then,  I'd  rather  fight  the  dog." 
70 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  Bah  !  fight  de  dog.  De  dog  cannot  fight,  sare  ;  maisje  fttu 
son  maitre  et  son  ami,  and  I  \rill  fight  for  him." 

"Well,  then,  monsieur,  I  did  insult  your  dog,  I  must  ac- 
knowledge, and  I  will  give  him  the  satisfaction  which  you 
require." 

"  And  how  vill  you  give  de  satisfaction  to  de  dog  ?  " 

"  Why,  sir,  you  said  just  now  that  he  was  un  chien  de  beau- 
coup  de  sentiment.  If  he  is  so,  he  will  accept  and  properly 
appreciate  my  apology." 

"  Ah,  sare ! "  replied  the  Frenchman,  relaxing  the  stern 
wrinkles  of  his  brow,  "  c'est  bien  dit ;  you  will  make  de  apology 
to  de  dog.  Sans  doute  he  is  de  principal ;  I  am  only  de  second. 
C'est  -une  affaire  arrangee.  Moustache,  viens  id,  Moustache " 
(the  dog  came  up  to  his  master).  "  Monsieur  est  tres-fdche  de 
t' avoir  brule  lenez." 

"  Monsieur  Moustache,"  said  M'Elvina,  taking  off  his  hat 
with  mock  gravity  to  the  dog,  who  seemed  determined  to 
keep  at  a  respectful  distance,  "je  vous  demande  mille  excuses." 

"Ah  !  que  c'est  charmant .'"  cried  some  of  the  fair  sex,  who, 
as  well  as  the  men,  had  been  attracted  by,  and  were  listening 
to  the  dispute.  "Que  Monsieur  r Anglais  est  drole ;  et  voyez 
Moustache,  comme  il  a  Fair  content,  f 'raiment  c'est  un  chien 
d' esprit.  Allez,  Moustache,"  said  his  master,  who  was  now  all 
smiles,  "  donnez  la  patte  a  monsieur — donnez  done.  Ah,  sare  ! 
he  forgive  you,  I  am  very  sure  ;  il  n'a  pas  de  malice.  But  he  is 
afraid  of  de  cigar.  De  burnt  shild  dred  de  vater,  as  your  great 
Shakespeare  say." 

"  Cest  un  chien  de  talent ;  il  atbeaucoup  de  sentiment.  Je  suit 
bienfdche  de  Favoir  blesse,  monsieur." 

"  Et  monsieur  parle  Francois  ?  " 

"  I  should  esteem  myself  fortunate  if  I  spoke  your  language 
as  well  as  you  do  mine,"  replied  M'Elvina  in  French. 

This  compliment,  before  so  many  bystanders,  completely 
won  the  heart  of  the  vain  and  choleric  Frenchman. 

"  Ah,  sare  !  you  are  too  complaisant,  I  hope  I  shall  have  de 
pleasure  to  make  your  acquaintance.  Je  mappelle  Monsieur 
Auguste  de  Poivre,  J'ai  Fkonneur  de  vous  presenter  une  carte 
d'adresse.  I  live  on  de  top  of  my  mother's — sur  FentresoL 
My  mother  live  on  de  ground — rez-de-chaussee.  Madame 
ma  mere  will  be  delighted  to  receive  a  monsieur  of  so  much 
vit  and  *dresse."  So  saying,  away  went  Monsieur  Auguste 
71 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

de  Poivre,  followed  by  Moustache,  who  was  "all  von  and  de 
same  ting." 

"  Well,  we  live  and  learn,"  said  M'Elvina,  laughing,  as  soon 
as  the  Frenchman  was  at  a  little  distance ;  "  I  never  thought 
that  I  should  have  made  an  apology  to  a  dog." 

"Oh,  but,"  replied  Debriseau,  "you  forget  that  he  was  un 
chien  de  sentiment." 

"You  may  imagine,  from  my  behaviour,  that  I  consider 
him  a  wiser  puppy  than  his  master,  for  he  ran  away  from 
fire,  whereas  his  master  tried  all  he  could  to  get  into  it. 
Some  of  our  countrymen  would  have  humoured  him,  and 
turned  a  comedy  into  a  tragedy.  I  set  a  proper  value  on 
my  life,  and  do  not  choose  to  risk  it  about  trifles." 

"  There  has  been  more  than  one  valuable  life  thrown  away 
about  a  dog  in  my  remembrance,"  said  Debriseau.  "  I  think 
you  behaved  in  a  sensible  manner  to  get  rid  of  the  affair  as 
you  did,  but  you  would  have  done  better  not  to  have  burnt 
the  dog's  nose." 

"Granted,"  replied  M'Elvina ;  "the  more  so  as  I  have 
often  remarked  that  there  is  no  object  in  the  world,  except 
your  children  or  your  own  self,  in  which  the  meum  is  so  power- 
ful and  the  tuum  so  weak.  You  caress  your  own  dog,  and 
kick  a  strange  one;  you  are  pleased  with  the  clamorous 
barking  of  your  own  cur,  and  you  curse  the  same  noise 
from  another.  The  feeling  is  as  powerful  almost  as  that  of 
a  mother,  who  thinks  her  own  ugly  cub  a  cherub  compared 
to  others,  and  its  squallings  the  music  of  the  spheres.  It  is 
because  there  is  no  being  that  administers  so  much  to  the 
self-love  of  his  master.  He  submits  with  humility  to  the  blows 
inflicted  in  the  moment  of  irritation  and  licks  the  hand  that 
corrects.  He  bears  no  revengeful  feelings,  and  is  ready  to  fondle 
and  caress  you  the  moment  that  your  good-humour  returns. 
He  is,  what  man  looks  in  vain  for  among  his  kind,  a  faithful 
friend, .  without  contradiction — the  veri/  perfection  of  a  slave. 
The  abject  submission  on  his  part,  which  would  induce  you  to 
despise  him,  becomes  a  merit  when  you  consider  his  courage, 
his  fidelity,  and  his  gratitude.  I  cannot  think  what  Mahomet 
was  about  when  he  pronounced  his  fiat  against  them  as  unclean." 

"  Well,"  said  Debriseau,  "  I  agree  with  Mahomet  that  they 
are  not  clean,  especially  puppies.  There's  that  little  beast  at 

Monsieur  Picardon's ;  I  declare " 

72 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  Pooh  ! "  interrupted  M'Elvina,  laughing,  "  I  aon't  mean  it 
in  that  sense.  I  mean  that,  in  a  despotic  country,  the  conduct 
of  a  dog  towards  his  master  should  be  held  up  as  an  example 
for  imitation ;  and  I  think  that  the  banner  of  the  Moslem 
should  have  borne  the  dog,  instead  of  the  crescent,  as  an 
emblem  of  blind  fidelity  and  tacit  submission." 

"That's  very  true,"  said  Debriseau;  "but,  nevertheless,  I 
wish  mademoiselle's  puppy  were  either  taught  manners  or 
thrown  over  the  quay." 

"  Ce  nest  pas  un  chien  de  sentiment,"  replied  M'Elvina,  laugh- 
ing. "  But  it  is  nearly  dark.  Allans  an  cabaret." 

They  returned  to  the  inn ;  and  the  wind  on  the  ensuing 
morning  blowing  strong  from  a  favourable  quarter,  Willy  and 
Debriseau  accompanied  M'Elvina  down  to  the  mole,  from 
whence  he  embarked  on  board  of  the  sloop,  which  was 
already  under  way,  and  in  the  course  of  an  hour  was  out 
of  sight 

On  the  following  day  Captain  Debriseau  accompanied 
Willy  to  the  pension,  where  our  hero  remained  nearly  five 
months,  occasionally  visited  by  the  Guernsey  captain  when 
he  returned  from  his  smuggling  trips,  and  more  rarely  re- 
ceiving a  letter  from  M'Elvina,  who  had  safely  landed  his 
cargo,  and  was  latterly  at  Havre,  superintending  the  fitting 
out  of  his  new  vessel  Our  hero  made  good  progress  during 
the  few  months  that  he  remained  at  the  pension,  and  when 
M'Elvina  returned  to  take  him  away,  not  only  could  speak 
the  French  language  with  fluency,  but  had  also  made  con- 
siderable progress  in  what  Sir  W.  C used  to  designate 

in  his  toast  as  "the  three  R's" — viz.,  "Reading,  'Kiting, 
and  'Rithmetic." 

The  lugger  which  had  been  built  for  M'Elvina  by  his  em- 
ployer was  now  ready,  and  bidding  farewell  to  Debriseau, 
who  continued  in  the  Cherbourg  trade,  our  hero  and  his 
protector  journeyed  en  diligence  to  Havre. 


THE   KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  XIII 

Through  the  haze  of  the  night  a  bright  flash  now  appearing, 
"  Oh,  ho  !  "  cried  Will  Watch,  "  the  Philistines  bear  down  ; 

Bear  a  hand,  my  tight  lads,  ere  we  think  about  sheering, 
One  broadside  pour  in,  should  we  swim,  boys,  or  drown." 

Sea  Song. 


,  Willy,  what  do  you  think  of  La  Belle  Susanne?"  said 
M'Elvina  as  they  stood  on  the  pier,  about  a  stone's-throw 
from  the  vessel,  which  lay  with  her  broadside  towards  them. 
Not  that  M'Elvina  had  any  opinion  of  Willy's  judgment,  but, 
from  the  affectionate  feeling  which  every  sailor  imbibes  for 
his  own  ship,  he  expected  gratification  even  in  the  admira- 
tion of  a  child.  The  lugger  was  certainly  as  beautiful  a 
model  of  that  description  of  vessel  as  had  ever  been  launched 
from  a  slip.  At  the  distance  of  a  mile,  with  the  sea  running, 
it  was  but  occasionally  that  you  could  perceive  her  long 
black  hull,  so  low  was  she  in  the  water,  and  so  completely 
were  her  bulwarks  pared  down;  yet  her  breadth  of  beam 
was  very  great  and  her  tonnage  considerable,  as  may  be 
inferred  when  it  is  stated  that  she  mounted  sixteen  long 
brass  nine-pounders  and  was  manned  with  one  hundred  and 
thirty  men.  But  now  that  she  was  lying  at  anchor  in 
smooth  water,  you  had  an  opportunity  of  examining,  with  the 
severest  scrutiny,  the  beautiful  run  of  the  vessel  as  she  sat 
graceful  as  a  diver,  and  appeared,  like  that  aquatic  bird,  ready 
to  plunge  in  at  a  moment  and  disappear  under  the  wave 
cleft  by  her  sharp  fore-foot  and  rippling  under  her  bows. 

"  When  shall  we  sail  ?  "  inquired  Willy,  after  bestowing 
more  judicious  encomiums  upon  the  vessel  than  might  be 
expected. 

"To-morrow  night,  if  the  wind  holds  to  the  southward. 
We  took  in  our  powder  this  morning.  Where  were  you 
stationed  at  quarters  on  board  the  -  ?  " 

"  Nowhere.  I  was  not  on  the  ship's  books  until  a  day  or 
two  before  I  left  her." 

"  Then  you  must  be  a  powder-monkey  with  me  ;  you  can 
hand  powder  up,  if  you  can  do  nothing  else." 
74 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"I  can  do  more/'  replied  Willy  proudly;  "I  can  roll 
shells  overboard." 

"Ay,  ay,  so  you  can;  I  forgot  that.  I  suppose  I  must  put 
you  on  the  quarter-deck,,  and  make  an  officer  of  you,  as 
Captain  M intended  to  do." 

"  I  mean  to  stand  by  you  when  we  fight,"  said  Willy, 
taking  M'Elvina's  hand. 

"  Thank  you  ;  that  may  not  be  so  lucky.  I'm  rather  super- 
stitious ;  and,  if  I  recollect  right,  your  old  friend  Adams 
had  that  honour  when  he  was  killed." 

The  name  of  old  Adams  being  mentioned  made  Willy 
silent  and  unhappy.  M'Elvina  perceived  it ;  the  conversa- 
tion was  dropped,  and  they  returned  home. 

A  few  days  afterwards  La  Belle  Susanne  sailed,  amidst  the 
shouts  and  vivas  of  the  multitude  collected  on  the  pier,  and  a 
thousand  wishes  for  "  succes  "  and  ' '  bon  voyage,"  the  builder 
clapping  his  hands  and  skipping  with  all  the  simial  ecstasy 
of  a  Frenchman  at  the  encomiums  lavished  upon  his  vessel 
as  she  cleaved  through  the  water  with  the  und  eviating 
rapidity  of  a  barracouta.  But  the  vivas,  and  the  shouts,  and 
the  builder,  and  the  pier  that  he  capered  on  were  soon  out 
of  sight,  and  our  hero  was  once  more  confiding  in  the  track- 
less and  treacherous  ocean. 

"Well,  she  does  walk,"  said  Phillips,  who  had  followed  the 
fortunes  of  his  captain,  and  was  now  looking  over  the  quarter 
of  the  vessel.  "  She  must  be  a  clipper  as  catches  us  with  the 
tacks  on  board !  Right  in  the  wind's  eye  too ;  clean  full. 
By  the  powers !  I  believe  if  you  were  to  lift  her,  she  would 
lay  a  point  on  the  other  side  of  the  wind." 

"Get  another  pull  of  the  fore-halyards,  my  lads,"  cried 
M'Elvina.  ''These  new  ropes  stretch  most  confoundedly. 
There,  belay  all  that ;  take  a  severe  turn,  and  don't  come  up 
an  inch." 

The  breeze  freshened,  and  the  lugger  flew  through  the 
water,  dashing  the  white  spray  from  her  bows  into  the  air, 
where  it  formed  little  rainbows  as  it  was  pierced  by  the 
beams  of  the  setting  sun. 

"  We  shall  have  a  fine  night,  and  light  weather  towards  the 
morning,  I  think,"  said  the  first-mate,  addressing  M'Elvina 

"  I   think  so  too.     Turn  the  hands  up  to  muster  by  the 
quarter-belL     We'll  load  the  guns  as  soon  as  the  lights  are 
75 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

out ;  let  the  gunner  fill  forty  rounds,  and  desire  the  carpenter 
to  nail  up  the  hatchway-screens.  Let  them  be  rolled  up  and 
stopped.  We'll  keep  them  up  for  a,  full  due,  till  we  return  to 
Havre." 

The  crew  of  the  lugger  were  now  summoned  on  deck  by 
the  call  of  the  boatswain,  and  having  been  addressed  by 
Captain  M'Elvina  upon  the  absolute  necessity  of  activity  and 
preparation  in  a  service  of  such  peculiar  risk,  they  loaded  the 
guns  and  secured  them  for  the  night. 

The  crew  consisted  of  about  eighty  or  ninety  Englishmen, 
out  of  the  full  complement  of  one  hundred  and  thirty  men ; 
the  remainder  was  composed  of  Frenchmen  and  other  Con- 
tinental adventurers.  Although  the  respective  countries  were 
at  variance,  the  subjects  of  each  had  shaken  hands,  that 
they  might  assist  each  other  in  violating  the  laws.  The  quiet 
and  subordination  of  a  king's  ship  were  not  to  be  expected 
here,— loud  and  obstreperous  mirth,  occasional  quarrelling,  as 
one  party,  by  accident  or  intention,  wounded  the  national 
pride  of  the  other.  French,  English,  and  Irish,  spoken 
alternately  or  at  the  same  moment,  created  a  degree  of 
confusion  which  proved  that  the  reins  of  government  were 
held  lightly  by  the  captain  in  matters  of  small  importance  ; 
but  although  there  was  a  general  freedom  of  manner  and 
independence  of  address,  still  his  authority  was  acknowledged 
and  his  orders  implicitly  obeyed.  It  was  a  ship's  company 
•.vhich  pulled  every  way,  as  the  saying  is,  when  there  was 
nothing  to  demand  union  ;  but  let  difficulty  or  danger  appear, 
and  all  their  squabbling  was  forgotten,  or  reserved  for  a 
more  seasonable  opportunity ;  then  they  all  pulled  together, 
those  of  each  nation  vying  in  taking  the  lead  and  setting  an 
example  to  the  other. 

Such  was  the  crew  of 'the  lugger  which  M'Elvina  com- 
manded, all  of  whom  were  picked  men,  remarkable  for  their 
strength  and  activity. 

As  the  first-mate  had  predicted,  the  wind  fell  light  after 
midnight,  and  at  dawn  of  day  the  lugger  was  gliding  through 
the  smooth  water  at  the  rate  of  three  or  four  miles  an  hour, 
shrouded  in  a  thick  fog.  The  sun  rose,  and  had  gained 
about  twenty  degrees  of  altitude,  when  M'Elvina  beat  to 
quarters,  that  he  might  accustom  his  men  to  the  exercise 
of  the  guns.  The  rays  of  the  sun  had  not  power  to  pierce 
76 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

through  the  fog ;  and,  shorn  of  his  beams,  he  had  more  the 
appearance  of  an  overgrown  moon,  or  was,  ;is  Phillips  quaintly 
observed,  "like  a  man  disguised  in  woman's  attire." 

The  exercise  of  the  guns  had  not  long  continued,  when 
the  breeze  freshened  up  and  the  fog  began  partially  to 
disperse.  Willy,  who  was  perched  on  the  roundhouse  abaft, 
observed  a  dark  mass  looming  through  the  mist  on  the 
weather  beam.  "  Is  that  a  vessel  ?  "  said  Willy,  pointing  it 
out  to  the  first-mate,  who  was  standing  near  M'EIvina. 

"  Indeed  it  is,  my  boy,"  replied  the  mate ;  "  you've  a  sharp 
eye  of  your  own." 

M'Elvina's  glass  was  already  on  the  object.  "  A  cutter  right 
before  the  wind,  coming  down  to  us  ;  a  Government  vessel 
of  some  sort  or  another,  I'll  swear.  I  trust  she's  a  revenue 
cruiser;  I  have  an  account  to  settle  with  those  gentlemen. 
Stay  at  your  quarters,  my  lads ;  hand  up  shot  and  open  the 
magazine  ! " 

The  powerful  rays  of  the  sun,  assisted  by  the  increasing 
wind,  now  rolled  away  the  fog  from  around  the  vessels, 
which  had  a  perfect  view  of  each  other.  They  were  distant 
about  two  miles,  and  the  blue  water  was  strongly  rippled  by 
the  breeze  which  had  sprung  up.  The  lugger  continued  her 
course  on  a  wind,  while  the  cutter  bore  down  towards  her 
with  all  the  sail  she  could  throw  out.  The  fog  continued  to 
clear  away,  until  there  was  an  open  space  of  about  three  or 
four  miles  in  diameter.  But  it  still  remained  folded  up  in 
deep  masses,  forming  a  wall  on  every  side,  which  obscured 
the  horizon  from  their  sight.  It  appeared  as  if  nature  had 
gratuitously  cleared  away  a  sufficient  portion  of  the  mist,  and 
had  thus  arranged  a  little  amphitheatre  for  the  approaching 
combat  between  the  two  vessels 

"  His  colours  are  up,  sir.  Revenue  stripes,  by  the  Lord  ! " 
cried  Phillips. 

"  Then  all's  right,"  replied  M'EIvina 

The  cutter  had 'now  run  down  within  half-a-mile  of  the 
lugger,  who  had  continued  her  course  with  the  most  perfect 
nonchalance,  when  she  rounded-to.  The  commander  of  the 
vessel,  aware,  at  the  first  discovery  of  the  lugger,  that  she 
could  be  no  other  than  an  enemy,  who  would  most  probably 
give  him  some  trouble,  had  made  every  preparation  for  the 
engagement. 

77 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Shall  we  hoist  any  colours,  sir?"  said  the  first-mate  to 
M'Elvina. 

"No;  if  we  hoist  English,  he  will  not  commence  action 
until  he  has  made  the  private  signal,  and  all  manner  of  par- 
leying, which  is  quite  unnecessary.  He  knows  what  we  are 
well  enough." 

"Shall  we  hoist  a  French  ensign,  sir?"  - 

"  No ;  I'll  fight  under  no  other  colours  than  those  of  old 
England,  even  when  I  resist  her  authority." 

A  long  column  of  white  smoke  now  rolled  along  the  sur- 
face of  the  water  as  the  cutter,  who  had  waited  in  vain  for 
the  colours  being  hoisted,  fired  the  first  gun  at  her  antago- 
nist. The  shot  whizzed  between  the  masts  of  the  lugger 
and  plunged  into  the  water  a  quarter  of  a  mile  to  leeward. 

"  A  vous,  monsieur ! "  roared  out  a  French  quarter-master 
on  board  of  the  lugger,  in  imitation  of  the  compliments  which 
take  place  previously  to  an  assaut  d'armes,  at  the  same  time 
taking  off  his  hat  and  bowing  to  the  cutter. 

"Too  high,  too  high,  good  Mr.  Searcher,"  said  M'Elvina, 
laughing ;  "  depress  your  guns  to  her  water-line,  my  lads, 
and  do  not  fire  until  I  order  you." 

The  remainder  of  the  cutter's  broadside  was  now  dis- 
charged at  the  lugger,  but  the  elevation  being  too  great, 
the  shot  whizzed  over,  without  any  injury  to  her  crew ;  the 
main-halyards  were,  however,  shot  away,  and  the  yard  and 
sail  fell  thundering  down  on  the  deck. 

"  Be  smart,  my  lads,  and  bend  on  again ;  it's  quite  long 
enough.  Up  with  the  sail  and  we'll  return  the  compliment." 

In  less  than  a  minute  the  tie  of  the  halyards,  which  had 
been  divided  close  to  the  yard,  was  hitched  round  it,  and 
the  sail  again  expanded  to  the  breeze.  "  Now,  my  lads,  re- 
member, don't  throw  a  shot  away;  fire  when  you're  ready." 

The  broadside  of  the  lugger  was  poured  into  the  cutter, 
with  what  effect  upon  the  crew  could  not  be  ascertained ; 
but  the  main-boom  was  cut  in  half,  and  the  outer  part  of  it 
fell  over  the  cutter's  quarter  and  was  dragged  astern  by  the 
clew  of  the  sail. 

"  It's  all  over  with    her  already,"   said  the   first-mate  to 

M'Elvina ;   and    as    the    cutter  payed  off    before   the    wind 

another  broadside  from  her  well-manned  antagonist  raked  her 

fore  and  aft.     The  cutter  hauled  down  her  jib,  eased  off  her 

78 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

&re-sheet,  and  succeeded  in  again  bringing  her  broadside  to 
bear.  The  action  was  now  maintained  with  spirit,  but  much 
to  the  disadvantage  of  the  cutter,  who  was  not  only  inferior 
in  force,  but  completely  disabled  from  the  loss  of  her  main- 
boom. 

After  an  exchange  of  a  dozen  broadsides  M  'El  vina  shot 
the  lugger  ahead,  and  tacking  under  his  adversary's  bows, 
raked  him  a  second  time.  The  commander  of  the  revenue 
vessel,  to  avoid  a  repetition  of  a  similar  disaster,  payed  his 
vessel  off  before  the  wind,  and  returned  the  fire  as  they  came 
abreast  of  each  other;  but  in  these  manoeuvres  the  lugger 
obtained  the  weather-gage.  It  was,  however,  a  point  of 
little  consequence  as  matters  then  stood.  In  a  few  more 
broadsides  the  cutter  was  a  complete  wreck,  and  unable  to 
return  the  fire  of  her  opponent.  Her  fore-stay  and  halyards 
had  been  cut  away,  her  fore-sail  was  down  on  deck,  and  her 
jib  Iving  overboard  under  her  bows. 

"  I  think  that  will  do,"  said  M 'El  vina  to  the  first-mate. 
"  We  had  better  be  off  now,  for  our  guns  will  be  sure  to  bring 
down  some  of  the  cruisers ;  and  if  she  surrendered,  I  could 
not  take  possession  of  her.  Let's  give  her  a  parting  broad- 
side and  three  cheers." 

M'Elvina's  orders  were  obeyed ;  but  not  one  gun  was 
returned  by  the  cutter.  "  Starboard  a  little  ;  keep  her  away 
now,  and  we'll  close  and  stand  ahead  of  her,  that  she  may 
read  our  name  on  the  stem.  It's  a  pity  they  should  not 
know  to  whom  they  are  indebted.  They'll  not  forget  La 
Belle  Susanne." 

The  cutter  had  not  been  left  a  mile  astern  before  the  breeze 
freshened  and  the  fog  began  rapidly  to  disperse  ;  and  Phillips, 
who  continued  at  the  conn,  perceived  through  the  haze  a 
large  vessel  bearing  down  towards  them. 

"  High  time  that  we  were  off,  indeed,  captain ;  for  there's 
a  cruiser,  if  I  mistake  not.  A  gun  here  is  the  same  to  the 
cruiser  as  a  splash  in  the  water  is  to  the  ground-sharks  at 
Antigua; — up  they  all  come  to  see  what's  to  be  had.  We 
shall  have  a  dozen  of  them  above  the  horizon  before  two 
hours  are  above  our  heads." 

M -El vina,  who  had  his  glass  fixed  upon  the  vessel,  soon 
made  her  out  to  be  a  frigate,  coming  down  under  a  press  of 
sail,  attracted,  as  Phillips  had  remarked,  by  the  reports  of  the 
79 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

guns.  What  made  the  affair  more  serious  was,  that  she  was 
evidently  bringing  down  a  strong  breeze,  which  the  lugger, 
although  steering  large,  had  not  yet  obtained.  Moreover, 
the  fog  had  dispersed  in  all  directions,  and  the  frigate  neared 
them  fast. 

"  B 1  the  cutter  !  "  said  the  first-mate ;  "  we  shall  pay 

dearly  for  our  lark." 

"This  is  confoundedly  unlucky/'  replied  M'Elvina;  "she 
brings  the  wind  down  with  her,  and  won't  part  with  a  breath 
of  it.  However,  '  faint  heart  never  won  fair  lady.'  Keep  her 
away  two  points  more.  Clap  everything  on  her.  We'll  weathci 
her  yet." 

The  breeze  that  ran  along  the  water  in  advance  of  the 
frigate  now  began  to  be  felt  by  the  lugger,  who  again  dashed 
the  foaming  water  from  her  bows  as  she  darted  through  the 
wave ;  but  it  was  a  point  of  sailing  at  which  a  frigate  has 
always  an  advantage  over  a  small  vessel;  and  M'Elvina 
having  gradually  edged  away,  so  as  to  bring  the  three  masts 
of  his  pursuer  apparently  into  one,  perceived  that  the  frigate 
was  rapidly  closing  with  him. 

The  crew  of  the  lugger,  who  had  been  all  merriment  at  the 
successful  termination  of  the  late  combat  (for  not  one  man 
had  been  killed  or  severely  wounded),  now  paced  the  deck, 
or  looked  over  the  bulwark  with  serious  and  foreboding 
aspects ;  the  foreigners,  particularly,  began  to  curse  their 
fate,  and  considered  their  voyage  and  anticipated  profits  at 
an  end.  M'Elvina,  perceiving  their  discontent,  ordered  tii? 
men  aft  and  addressed  them  : — 

"  My  lads,  I  have  often  been  in  a  worse  scrape,  and  have 
weathered  it ;  nor  do  I  know  but  what  we  may  yet  manage 
to  get  out  of  this,  if  you  will  pay  strict  attention  to  my  orders 
and  behave  in  that  cool  and  brave  manner  which  I  have  reason 
to  expect  from  you.  Much,  if  not  all,  depends  upon  whether 
the  captain  of  that  frigate  is  a  '  new  hand '  or  not.  If  he  is  an 
old  Channel -groper,  we  shall  have  some  difficulty ;  but,  how- 
ever, we  will  try  for  it,  and  if  we  do  not  succeed,  at  least  we 
shall  have  the  satisfaction  of  knowing  that  we  did  our  best 
both  for  ourselves  and  our  employers." 

M'Elvina  then  proceeded  to  explain  to  his  crew  the  man- 
oauvre  that  he  intended  to  practise  to  obtain  the  weather-ga^  • 
of  the  frigate,  upon  which  their  only  chance  of  escape  would 
80 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  men  returned  to  their  stations,  if  not  con- 
tented, at  least  with  increased  confidence  in  their  captain, 
and  strong  hopes  of  success. 

As  the  day  closed  the  frigate  was  within  a  mile  of  the 
lugger,  and  coming  up  with  her  hand  over  hand.  The  breeze 
was  strong,  and  the  water  was  no  longer  in  ripples,  but  curled 
over  in  short  waves  to  the  influence  of  the  blast.  The  frigate 
yawed  a  little ;  the  smoke  from  her  bow-chaser  was  followed 
by  an  instantaneous  report,  and  the  shot  dashed  into  the 
water  close  under  the  stem  of  the  lugger.  "  Sit  down  under 
the  bulwarks;  sit  down,  my  lads,  and  keep  all  fast,"  said 
M'EJvina.  "  Hell  soon  be  tired  of  that ;  he  has  lost  more 
than  a  cable's-length  already."  M-Elvina  was  correct  in  his 
supposition ;  the  commander  of  the  frigate  perceived  that  he 
had  lost  too  much  ground  by  deviating  from  his  course,  and 
the  evening  was  closing  in.  He  fired  no  more.  Both  vessels 
continued  their  course,  the  smuggler  particularly  attentive  in 
keeping  the  three  masts  of  her  pursuer  in  one,  to  prevent  her 
from  firing  into  her,  or  to  oblige  her  to  drop  astern  if  she  did. 

Half-an-hour  more,  and  as  the  sun's  lower  limb  touched 
the  horizon  the  frigate  was  within  musket-shot  of  the  lugger, 
and  the  marines,  who  had  been  ordered  forward,  commenced 
a  heavy  fire  upon  her,  to  induce  her  to  lower  her  sails  and 
surrender ;  but  in  vain.  By  the  directions  of  their  captain, 
the  men  sheltered  themselves  under  the  bulwarks,  and  the 
vessel  continued  her  course,  with  all  her  sails  expanded  to 
the  breeze, 

A  few  minutes  more  and  she  was  right  under  the  bows  of 
the  frigate,  who  now  prepared  to  round-to  and  pour  a  broad- 
side into  her  for  her  temerity.  M'Elvina  watched  their 
motions  attentively,  and  as  the  frigate  yawed-to  with  all  her 
sails  set,  he  gave  the  order  to  lower  away  ;  and  the  sails  of 
the  lugger  were  in  an  instant  down  on  the  deck,  in  token  of 


*•'  Helm  hard  a-lee,  now ;  keep  a  little  bit  of  the  mizzen 
up,  Phillips ;  they  won't  observe  it." 

"Marines,  cease  firing;  hands,  shorten  sail  and  clear  away 
the  first  cutter,"  were  the  orders  given  on  board  the  frigate, 
and  distinctly  heard  by  the  smugglers ;  but  the  heavy  press 
of  sail  that  the  frigate  was  obliged  to  carry  to  come  up  with 
the  chase  was  not  so  soon  to  be  reduced  as  that  of  a  small 
81  F 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

vessel ;  and  as  she  rounded-to  with  studding-sails  below 
and  aloft,  she  shot  past  the  lugger,  and  left  her  on  her 
quarter. 

"  Now's  your  time,  my  men.  Hoist  away  the  jib-sheet  to 
windward."  The  lugger  payed  off  as  the  wind  caught  the 
sail.  "  All's  right.  Up  with  the  lugs." 

The  order  was  obeyed  as  an  order  generally  is  by  men 
working  for  their  escape  from  what  they  most  dreaded — 
poverty  and  imprisonment ;  and  before  the  frigate  could 
reduce  her  sails,  which  were  more  than  she  could  carry  on  a 
wind,  the  lugger  had  shot  away  on  her  weather  quarter,  and 
was  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  advance.  The  frigate  tacked  after 
her,  firing  gun  after  gun,  but  without  success.  Fortune 
favoured  M'Elvina  ;  and  the  shades  of  night  soon  hid  the 
lugger  from  the  sight  of  her  irritated  and  disappointed  pur- 
suers. A  long  career  was  before  La  Belle  Susanne ;  she  was 
not  to  be  taken  that  time. 


CHAPTER  XIV 

A  fisherman  he  had  been  in  his  youth  ; 
But  other  speculations  were,  in  sooth, 
Added  to  his  connection  with  the  sea, 
Perhaps  not  so  respectable,  in  truth. 

He  had  an  only  daughter. 

Don  Juan. 

IN  OT  possessing  a  prompter's  whistle,  we  must  use,  as  a  sub- 
stitute, the  boatswain's  call,  and  at  his  shrill  pipe  we  change 
the  scene  to  a  back-parlour  in  one  of  the  most  confined  streets 
at  the  east  end  of  England's  proud  and  wealthy  metropolis. 
The  dramatis  personce  are  an  elderly  and  corpulent  personage, 
with  as  little  of  fashion  in  his  appearance  as  in  his  residence, 
and  a  young  female  of  about  twenty  years  of  age,  with  ex- 
pressive and  beautiful  features,  but  wanting  "  the  damask  on 
the  cheek,"  the  true  value  of  which  the  fair  sex  so  well 
appreciate  that,  if  not  indebted  for  it  to  nature,  they  are  too 
apt  to  resort  to  art  for  an  unworthy  imitation. 
82 


THE  KING'S  O\V$ 

The  first-mentioned  of  these  two  personages  was  busy  exa- 
mining, through  his  spectacles,  some  papers  which  lay  on  the 
table  before  him,  occasionally  diverted  from  his  task  by  the 
pertinacity  of  some  flies,  which  seemed  to  have  taken  a  par- 
ticular fancy  to  his  bald  forehead  and  scalp,  which,  in  spite  of 
his  constant  brushing  off,  thev  thought  proj>er  to  consider  as 
a  pleasant  and  smooth  sort  of  coursing-plain,  placed  there 
(probably  in  their  ideas)  solely  for  their  anuisement.  Part  of 
a  decanter  of  wine  and  the  remains  of  a  dessert  crowded  the 
small  table  at  which  he  sat,  and  added  to  the  general  air  of 
confinement  which  pervaded  the  whole. 

"  It's  very  hot,  my  dear.  Open  the  window  and  let  us  have 
a  little  air." 

"Oh,  father  ! "  replied  the  young  woman,  who  rose  to  throw 
up  the  sash,  "you  don't  know  how  I  pine  for  fresh  air.  How 
long  do  you  intend  to  continue  this  life  of  constant  toil  and 
privation  ?" 

"  How  long,  my  dear  ?  Why,  I  presume  you  do  not  wish 
to  starve ;  you  would  not  be  very  well  pleased  if.  when  you 
applied  for  money,  as  you  do  every  week  at  least,  I  were  to 
tell  you  that  the  bag  was  empty." 

"  Oh,  nonsense ;  I  know  better,  father.  Don't  think  so 
poorly  of  me  as  to  attempt  to  deceive  me  in  that  way." 

"  And  pray,  Miss  Susan,  what  do  you  know  r  "  said  the  old 
gentleman,  looking  up  at  her  through  his  spectacles  as  she 
stood  by  the  side  of  his  chair. 

"  I  know  what  you  have  taught  me,  sir.  Do  you  recollect 
explaining  to  me  the  nature  of  the  Funds,  what  was  the 
meaning  of  the  National  Debt,  all  the  varieties  of  stock,  and 
what  interest  thev  all  bore  ?  " 

"Well,  and  what  then?" 

"  Why,  then,  father,  I  have  often  seen  the  amounts  of  the 
dividends  which  you  have  received  every  half-year,  and  have 
heard  your  orders  to  Wilmott  to  reinvest  in  the  Funds. 
Now,  your  last  half-year's  dividend  in  the  Three  per  Cents,  was 
—let  me  see — oh— £8+1,  14s.  6d.,  which,  you  know,  doubled, 
makes  itself  an  income  of " 

"  And  pray,  Miss  Susan,  what  business  have  you  with  all 
this  ?  "  retorted  her  father,  half  pleased,  half  angry. 

"Why,  father,  you  taught  me  yourself,  and  thought  me 
very  stupid  because  I  did  not  comprehend  it  as  soon  as  you 
83 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

expected,"  answered  Susan,  leaning  over  and  kissing  him  ,• 
"  and  now  you  ask  me  what  business  I  have  to  know  it." 

"Well,  well,  girl,  it's  very  true,"  said  the  old  man,  smiling; 
"  but  allowing  that  you  are  correct,  what  then  ?  " 

"  Why  then,  father,  don't  be  angry  if  I  say  that  it  appears 
to  me  that  you  have  more  money  now  than  you  can  spend 
while  you  live,  or  know  to  whom  to  leave  it  when  you  die. 
What,  then,  is  the  use  of  confining  yourself  in  a  dirty,  narrow 
street,  and  toiling  all  day  for  no  earthly  advantage  ? " 

"  But  how  do  you  know  that  I  have  nobody  to  leave  my 
money  to,  Susan  ?  " 

"  Have  you  not  repeatedly  said  that  you  have  no  relations 
or  kin  that  you  are  aware  of  except  me ;  that  you  were  once 
a  sailor  before  the  mast — an  orphan,  bound  apprentice  by  the 
parish  ?  Whom,  then,  have  you  except  me  ? — and  if  you  con- 
tinue here  much  longer,  father,  I  feel  convinced  that  you  will 
not  have  me  ;  you  will  have  no  one.  If  you  knew  how  tired 
I  am  of  looking  out  at  this  horrid  brick  wall ;  how  I  long  for 
the  country,  to  be  running  among  the  violets  and  primroses ; 
how  I  pine  for  relief  from  this  little  dungeon.  Oh  !  what 
would  I  give  to  be  flying  before  the  breeze  in  the  lugger 
with  M'Elvina ! " 

"  Indeed,  Miss  !  "  replied  old  Hornblow,  whom  the  reader 
may  recognise  as  the  patron  of  our  smuggling  captain. 

"  Well,  father,  there's  no  harm  in  saying  so.  I  want  freedom. 
I  feel  as  if  I  could  not  be  too  free  ;  I  should  like  to  be  blown 
about  in  a  balloon.  Oh  !  why  don't  you  give  up  business,  go 
down  to  the  seaside,  take  a  pretty  little  cottage,  and  make 
yourself  and  me  happy  ?  I  fancy  the  sea-breeze  is  blowing  in 
my  face  and  all  my  ringlets  out  of  curl.  I  shall  die  if  I  stay 
here  much  longer;  I  shall  indeed,  father." 

Repeated  attacks  of  this  nature  had  already  sapped  the 
foundation,  and  a  lovely  and  only  daughter  had  the  influence 
over  her  father's  heart  to  wh,ich  she  was  entitled. 

"  Well,  well,  Susan,  let  M'Elvina  wind  up  the  accounts  of 
this  vessel,  and  then  I  will  do  as  you  wish  ;  but  I  cannot  turn 
him  adrift,  you  know." 

"Turn  Captain  M'Elvina  adrift !    No;  if  you  did,  father — 

"  I  presume  that  you  would  be  very  much  inclined  to  take 
him  in  tow — eh,  Miss  ?  " 

"  I  shall  never  act  without  attending  to  your  advice  and 
84 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

consulting  your  wishes,  my  dear  father,"  answered  Susan,  the 
suffusion  of  her  unusually  pale  cheeks  proving  that  she  re- 
quired but  colour  to  be  perfectly  beautiful. 

And  here  the  conversation  dropped.  Old  Hornblow  had 
long  perceived  the  growing  attachment  between  his  daughter 
and  M'Elvina,  and  the  faithful  and  valuable  services  of  the 
latter,  added  to  the  high  opinion  which  the  old  man  had  of 
his  honesty — which,  to  do  M'Elvina  justice,  had  been  most 
scrupulous — had  determined  him  to  let  things  take  their  own 
course.  Indeed,  there  was  no  one  with  whom  old  Homblow  was 
acquainted  to  whom  he  would  have  entrusted  his  daughter's 
happiness  with  so  much  confidence  as  to  our  reformed  captain. 

A  sharp  double  tap  at  the  street-door  announced  the  post, 
and  in  a  few  minutes  after  this  conversation  the  clerk  ap- 
peared with  a  letter  for  old  Hornblow,  who,  pursuant  to  the 
prudent  custom  of  those  days,  had  his  coimting-house  on  the 
ground-floor  of  his  own  residence,  which  enabled  him  to  go 
to  his  dinner,  and  return  to  his  business  in  the  evening. 
Nowadays  we  are  all  above  our  business,  and  live  above  our 
means  (which  is  in  itself  sufficient  to  account  for  the  general 
distress  that  is  complained  of) ;  and  the  counting-house  is 
deserted  before  dusk,  that  we  may  arrive  at  our  residences 
in  Russell  Square  or  the  Regent's  Park  in  time  to  dress  for 
a  turtle-dinner  at  six  o'clock,  instead  of  a  mutton-chop  or 
single  joint,  enfamille,  at  two. 

But  to  return.  Old  Hornblow  put  on  his  spectacles  (which 
were  on  the  table  since  they  had  been  removed  from  his 
nose  by  Susan  when  she  kissed  him),  and  examined  the  post- 
mark, seal,  and  superscription,  as  if  he  wished  to  tax  his  in- 
genuity with  a  guess  previously  to  opening  the  letter,  which 
would  have  saved  him  all  that  trouble,  and  have  decided 
the  point  of  scrutiny,  viz.,  from  whom  it  came. 

"  M'Elvina,  I  rather  think,"   said  he,   musing ;    "  but  the 

post-mark   is    Plymouth.      How  the  deuce The  two 

first  lines  of  the  letter  were  read,  and  the  old  man's  counte- 
nance fell.  Susan,  who  had  been  all  alive  at  the  mention  of 
M'Elvina' s  name,  perceived  the  alteration  in  her  father's  looks. 

"  No  bad  news,  I  hope,  my  dear  father  ?  " 

"  Bad  enough,"  replied  the  old  man,  with  a  deep  sigh ; 
"  the  lugger  is  taken  by  a  frigate,  and  sent  into  Plymouth." 

"  And  Captain  M'Elvina — he's  not  hurt,  I  hope  ?  " 
85 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"  No,  I  presume  not,  as  he  has  written  the  letter,  and  says 
nothing  about  it." 

Satisfied  upon  this  point,  Susan,  who  recollected  her  father's 
promise,  was  undutiful  enough,  we  are  sorry  to  say,  to  allow 
her  heart  to  bound  with  joy  at  the  circumstance.  All  her 
fond  hopes  were  about  to  be  realised,  and  she  could  hardly 
refrain  from  carolling  the  words  of  Ariel,  "Where  the  bee 
sucks,  there  lurk  I ;  '  but  fortunately  she  remembered  that 
other  parties  might  not  exactly  participate  in  her  delight. 
Out  of  respect  for  her  father's  feelings,  she  therefore  put  on  a 
grave  countenance,  in  sad  contrast  with  her  eyes,  which  joy 
had  brilliantly  lighted  up. 

"Well,  it's  a  bad  business,"  continued  old  Hornblow. 
"  Wilmott  1 "  (The  clerk  heard  his  master's  voice,  and  came 
in.)  "  Bring  me  the  ledger.  Let  me  see — Belle  Susanne. 
I  wonder  why  the  fool  called  her  by  that  name,  as  if  I  had 
not  one  already  to  take  money  out  of  my  pocket.  Oh  !  here 
it  is— folio  59  continued;  folio  100,  129,  147 —not  balanced 
since  April  last  year.  Be  quick,  and  strike  me  out  a  rough 
balance-sheet  of  the  lugger." 

"But  what  does  Captain  M'Elvina  say,  father?" 

"What  does  he  say?  Why,  that  he  is  taken.  Haven't 
I  told  you  so  already,  girl  ? ' '  replied  old  Hornblow,  in 
evident  ill-humour. 

"  Yes,  but  the  particulars,  my  dear  father  1 " 

"Oh,  there's  only  the  fact,  without  particulars — says  he 
will  write  more  fully  in  a  day  or  two." 

"  I'll  answer  for  him  that  it  was  not  his  fault,  father ;  he 
has  always  done  you  justice." 

"  I  did  not  say  that  he  had  not ;  I'm  only  afraid  that 
success  has  made  him  careless — it's  always  the  case." 

"  Yes,"  replied  Susan,  taking  up  the  right  cue,  "  as  you 
say,  father,  he  has  been  very  successful." 

"  He  has,"  replied  the  old  man,  recovering  his  serenity  a 
little,  "  very  successful  indeed  I  dare  say  it  was  not  his  fault." 

The  clerk  soon  made  his  appearance  with  the  rough  balance- 
sheet  required.  It  did  more  to  restore  the  good-humour  of 
Ihe  old  man  than  even  the  soothing  of  his  daughter. 

"  Oh  !  here  we  are  —  La  Belle  Susanne  —  Dr,  to  . 

Total,    £14,864,    14s.    3d.       Contra  -  Cr.    £27,986,    l6s.    8d. 

Balance  to  profit  and  loss,  £13,122,  2s.  5d.     Well,  that's  not 

86 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

so  very  bad  in  less  than  three  years.  I  think  I  may  afford 
to  lose  her." 

"Why,  father,"  replied  Susan,  leaning  over  his  shoulder 
and  looking  archly  at  him,  "'tis  a  fortune  in  itself,  to  a 
contented  person." 

But  as,  independently  of  M'Elvina's  letter  not  being  suf- 
ficiently explicit,  there  are  other  circumstances  connected 
with  his  capture  that  are  important  to  our  history,  we  shall 
ourselves  narrate  the  particulars. 

For  more  than  two  years  M'Elvina,  by  his  dexterity  and 
courage,  and  the  fast  sailing  of  his  vessel,  had  escaped  all  his 
pursuers  and  regularly  landed  his  cargoes.  During  this  time 
Willy  had  made  rapid  progress  under  his  instruction,  not  onlv 
in  his  general  education,  but  also  in  that  of  his  profession. 
One  morning  the  lugger  was  off  Cape  Clear,  on  the  coast  of 
Ireland,  when  she  discovered  a  frigate  to  windward,  the 
wind,  weather,  and  relative  situations  of  the  two  vessels  being 
much  the  same  as  on  the  former  occasion  when  M'Elvina, 
by  his  daring  and  judicious  manoeuvre,  had  effected  his 
escape.  The  frigate  chased,  and  soon  closed-to  within  a 
quarter  of  a  mile  of  the  lugger,  when  she  rounded-to  and 
poured  in  a  broadside  of  grape,  which  brought  her  fore-yard 
down  on  deck.  From  that  moment  such  an  incessant  fire  of 
musketry  was  poured  in  from  the  frigate  that  every  man  on 
board  of  M'Elvina's  vessel  who  endeavoured  to  repair  the 
mischief  was  immediately  struck  down.  Any  attempt  at 
escape  was  now  hopeless.  When  within  two  cables'-lengtl, 
the  frigate  hove  to  the  wind,  keeping  the  lugger  under  her 
lee,  and  continued  a  fire  of  grape  and  musketry  into  her  until 
the  rest  of  her  sails  were  lowered  down. 

The  crew  of  the  smuggler,  perceiving  all  chance  in  their 
favour  to  be  over,  ran  down  below  to  avoid  the  fire  and 
secure  their  own  effects.  The  boats  of  the  frigate  were  soon 
on  board  of  the  lugger,  and  despatched  back  to  her  with 
M'Elvina  and  the  chief  officers.  Willy  jumped  into  the  boat 
and  was  taken  on  board  with  his  patron. 

The  captain  of  the  frigate  was  on  the  quarter-deck ;  and 
as  he  turned  round,  it  occurred  to  Willy  that  he  had  seen 
his  face  before,  but  when  or  where  he  could  not  exactly 
call  to  mind ;  and  he  continued  to  scrutinise  him  as  he 
paced  up  and  down  the  quarter-deck,  revolving  in  his 
87 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

mind  where  it  was  that  he  had  encountered  that  peculiar 
countenance. 

His  eye,  so  fixed  upon  the  captain  that  it  followed  him 
up  and  down  as  he  moved,  at  last  was  met  by  that  of  the 
latter,  who,  surprised  at  finding  so  small  a  lad  among  the 
prisoners,  walked  over  to  the  lee-side  of  the  quarter-deck 
and  addressed  him  with— "  You're  but  a  young  smuggler, 
my  lad  ;  are  you  the  captain's  son  ?  " 

The  voice  immediately  recalled  to  Willy's  recollection 
every  circumstance  attending  their  last  meeting,  and  who 
the  captain  was.  He  answered  in  the  negative  with  a  smile. 

"  You've  a  light  heart,  youngster.  Pray,  what's  your 
name  ?  " 

"  You  said  that  my  name  was  to  be  Seymour,  sir,"  replied 
Willy,  touching  his  hat. 

"  Said  his  name  was  to  be  Seymour !  What  does  the 
boy  mean  ?  Good  heavens  !  I  recollect,"  observed  Captain 

M ,  for  it  was  he.  "  Are  you  the  boy  that  I  sent  horo^ 

in  the  chasse-maree,  to  be  fitted  out  for  the  quarter-deck  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"And  how  long  have  you  been  on  this  praiseworthy 
service  ?  " 

"  Ever  since,  sir,"  replied  our  hero,  who  had  little  idea 
of  its  impropriety. 

La  Belle  Susanne  was  as  renowned  for  her  fast  sailing  and 
repeated  escapes  from  the  cruisers  as  Captain  M'Elvina  and 
his  crew  were  for  their  courage  and  success.  The  capture 
of  the  vessel  had  long  been  a  desideratum  of  the  English 

Government ;  and  Captain  M ,  although  gratified  at  her 

falling  into  his  hands,  was  not  very  well  pleased  to  find  that 
a  lad  whom  he  had  intended  to  bring  forward  in  the  service 
should,  as  he  supposed,  have  voluntarily  joined  a  party  who 
had  so  long  bid  defiance  to  the  laws  and  naval  force  of  the 
country.  His  countenance  assumed  an  air  of  displeasure,  and 
he  was  about  to  turn  away  without  any  further  remarks, 
when  M'Elvina,  who  perceived  how  matters  stood,  and  felt 
aware  that  Willy's  future  prospects  were  at  stake,  stepped 
forward,  and  respectfully  addressing  the  captain,  narrated 
in  few  words  the  rescue  of  Willy  from  the  wreck,  and  added 
that  the  boy  had  been  detained  by  him,  and  had  had  no 
opportunity  of  leaving  the  vessel,  which  had  never  anchored 
8ft 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

po 

indeed  true,  that  he  had  always  evaded  explaining  to  the 
boy  the  real  nature  of  the  service  upon  which  the  lugger  was 
employed ;  from  which  it  may  be  interred  that,  notwithstand- 
ing M'Elvina's  defence  of  smuggling  in  a  former  chapter, 
he  was  not  quite  so  well  convinced  in  his  own  mind  of  its 
propriety  as  he  would  have  induced  Debriseau  to  suppose. 

The  assertions  of  M'Elvina  turned  the  scale  again  in  Willy's 
favour ;  and  after  he  had  answered  the  interrogatories  of 
the  captain  relative  to  the  fate  of  Mr.  Bullock  and  the  rest  of 

the  men  in  the  prize,  Captain  M ,  who,  although  severe, 

was  not  only  just  but  kind-hearted,  determined  that  his 
former  good  intentions  relative  to  our  hero  should  still  re- 
main in  force. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Seymour,  you  have  seen  a  little  service,  and 
your  captain  gives  you  a  high  character  as  an  active  and 
clever  lad.  As  you  have  been  detained  against  your  will, 
I  think  wre  may  recover  your  time  and  pay.  I  trust,  how- 
ever, that  you  will  in  future  be  employed  in  a  more  honourable 
manner.  We  shall,  in  all  probability,  be  soon  in  port,  and 
till  then  you  must  remain  as  you  are,  for  I  cannot  trust  you 
again  in  a  prize." 

As  our  hero  was  in  a  new  ship,  the  officers  and  ship's  com- 
pany of  which  were  not  acquainted  with  his  history,  except 
that  he  had  been  promoted  for  an  act  of  gallantly  by  Captain 

M ,  he  was  favourably  received  by  his  messmates.     The 

crew  of  the  lugger  were  detained  as  prisoners  on  board  of  the 
frigate,  and  the  vessel,  in  charge  of  one  of  the  officers,  was 

ordered  to  keep  company,  Captain  M having  determined 

to  return  into  port,  and  not  wishing  to  lose  sight  of  his  valu- 
able prize. 

"  You  have  a  very  fine  ship's  company,  Captain  M'Elvina," 
observed  Captain  M .  "  How  many  of  them  are  English  ?  " 

"  About  eighty ;  and  as  good  seamen  as  ever  walked  a 
plank." 

Captain  M ordered  the  crew  of  the  lugger  aft  of  the 

quarter-deck,  and  put  the  question  to  them  whether  they 
would  not  prefer  entering  his  Majesty's  service  to  the  confine- 
ment of  a  prison ;  but  at  the  moment  they  felt  too  indignant 
at  having  been  captured  by  the  frigate  to  listen  to  the  proposal, 

arid  refused  to  a  man.     Captain  M turned  away  disap- 

89 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

pointed,  surveying  the  fine  body  of  men  with  a  covetous  eye 
as  they  were  ranged  in  a  line  on  his  quarter-deck.  He  felt 
what  a  prize  they  would  be  to  him,  if  he  could  have  added 
them  to  his  own  ship's  company  ;  for  at  that  time  it  was 
almost  impossible  to  man  the  number  of  ships  which  were 
employed  in  an  effective  manner. 

"  Will  you  allow  me  to  try  what  I  can  do  for  you,  sir  ?"  said 
M'Elvina,  as  the  men  disappeared  from  the  quarter-deck  to 
their  former  station  as  prisoners.  Having  received  the  nod  of 

assent  on  the  part  of  Captain  M ,  M'Elvina  went  down  to 

the  men,  who  gathered  round  him.  He  forcibly  pointed  out 
co  them  the  advantages  of  the  proposal,  and  the  good  chance 
they  had  of  enriching  themselves  by  the  prize-money  they 
would  make  in  a  frigate  which  could  capture  such  a  fast-sailing 
vessel  as  the  lugger.  He  also  dwelt  upon  the  misery  of  the 
prison  which  awaited  them  ;  but  what  decided  them  was  the 
observation  that,  in  all  probability,  they  would  not  be  per- 
mitted (now  that  seamen  were  in  such  request)  to  remain  in 
prison,  but  would  be  drafted  in  several  ships,  and  be  separated, 

whereas  by  now  entering  for  Captain  M they  would  all 

remain  shipmates  as  before. 

Having  obtained  their  unanimous  consent,  M'Elvina,  with 
a  pleased  countenance,  came  aft,  followed  by  his  men,  and 

informed  Captain  M that  they  had  agreed  to  enter  for 

his  ship.  "  Allow  me  to  congratulate  you,  sir,  on  your  good 
fortune,  as  you  will  yourself  acknowledge  it  to  be  when  you 
find  out  what  an  addition  they  will  be  to  your  ship's  company." 

"  I  am  indebted  to  you  for  your  interference,  sir,"  replied 
Captain  M ,  "and  shall  not  prove  ungrateful.  Your  con- 
duct in  this  affair  makes  me  inclined  to  ask  another  favour. 
I  believe  you  can  give  me  some  valuable  information,  if  you 
choose.  Whether  you  are  inclined  to  do  so  I  am  not  yet  sure, 
but  I  now  think  that  you  will." 

"  You  will  find  me  an  Englishman,  body  and  soul,  sir ;  and 
although  I  have,  in  defence  of  my  profession,  been  occasionally 
necessitated  to  choose  between  capture  and  resistance,  I  can 
most  conscientiously  say  that  every  shot  I  have  fired  against 
my  own  countrymen  has  smitten  me  to  the  heart  "  (and  this 
assertion  was  true,  although  we  have  no  time  to  analyse 
M'Elvina's  feelings  at  present).  "  I  am  not  bound  by  honour, 
nor  have  I  the  least  inclination,  to  conceal  any  information  I 
90 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

may  have  obtained  when  in  the  French  ports.  I  went  there 
to  serve  my  purposes,  and  they  allowed  me  to  do  so  to  serve 
their  own.  I  never  would  (although  repeatedly  offered  bribes) 
bring  them  any  information  relative  to  the  proceedings  of  our 
own  country,  and  I  shall  most  cheerfully  answer  your  questions ; 
indeed,  I  have  information  which  I  would  have  given  you 
before  now,  had  I  not  felt  that  it  might  be  supposed  I  was 
actuated  more  by  a  view  of  serving  myself  than  my  country. 

I  only  wish,  Captain  M ,  that  you  may  fall  in  with  a 

French  frigate  before  I  leave  your  ship,  that  I  may  prove  to 
you  that  I  can  fight  as  well  for  old  England  as  I  have  done  in 
defence  of  property  entrusted  to  my  charge." 

"Then  do  me  the  favour  to  step  down  into  the  cabin,"  said 
Captain  M . 

Captain  M —  —  and  M'Elvina  were  shut  up  in  the  after- 
cabin  for  some  time,  and  the  information  received  by  Captain 

M was  so  important  that  he  determined  not  to  anchor. 

He  put  all  the  French  prisoners  on  board  of  the  lugger  at  the 
entrance  of  the  Sound,  and  sending  in  a  boat  to  take  out  the 
major  part  of  the  men  who  had  charge  of  her,  he  retained 
M-Elvina  on  board  of  the  frigate,  and  made  all  sail  for  the 
French  coast. 


CHAPTER  XV 

That  which  should  accompany  old  age, 

As  honour,  love,  obedience,  troops  of  friends, 

I  must  not  look  to  have. 

SHAKSPEARE. 

±5UT  we  must  return  on  shore,  that  we  may  not  lose  sight 
of  the  grandfather  of  our  hero,  who  had  no  idea  that  there 
was  a  being  in  existence  who  was  so  nearly  connected 
with  him. 

The  time  had  come  when  that  information  was  to  be  given  ; 
for,  about  six  weeks  previous  to  the  action  we  have  described 
in  which  Adams,  the  quarter-master,  was  killed,  Admiral  De 
Courcy  was  attacked  by  a  painful  and  mortal  disease.  As 
long  as  he  was  able  to  move  about,  his  irritability  of  temper, 
increased  by  suffering,  rendered  him  more  insupportable  than 
91 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

ever  ;  but  he  was  soon  confined  to  his  room,  and  the  progress  of 
the  disease  became  so  rapid  that  the  medical  attendants  con- 
sidered it  their  duty  to  apprise  him  that  all  hopes  of  recovery 
must  now  be  abandoned,  and  that  he  must  prepare  himself  for 
the  worst. 

The  admiral  received  the  intelligence  with  apparent  com- 
posure, and  bowed  his  head  to  the  physicians  as  they  quitted 
his  room.  He  was  alone,  and  left  to  his  own  reflections, 
which  were  not  of  the  most  enviable  nature.  He  was  seated, 
propped  up  in  an  easy-chair,  opposite  the  large  French 
window,  which  commanded  a  view  of  the  park.  The  sun  was 
setting,  and  the  long-extended  shadows  of  the  magnificent 
trees  which  adorned  his  extensive  domain  were  in  beautiful 
contrast  with  the  gleams  of  radiant  light,  darting  in  long 
streaks  between  them  on  the  luxuriant  herbage.  The  cattle, 
quietly  standing  in  the  lake,  were  refreshing  themselves  after 
the  heat  of  the  day,  and  the  deer  lay  in  groups  under  the 
shade  or  crouching  in  their  lairs,  partly  concealed  by  the 
underwood  and  fern.  All  was  in  repose  and  beauty,  and  the 
dying  man  watched  the  sun,  as  it  fast  descended  to  the 
horizon,  as  emblematical  of  his  race,  so  shortly  to  be  sped. 
He  surveyed  the  groups  before  him ;  he  envied  even  the 
beasts  of  the  field  and  the  reclaimed  tenants  of  the  forest, 
for  they  at  least  had  of  their  kind,  with  whom  they  could 
associate ;  but  he,  their  lord  and  master,  was  alone — alone  in 
the  world,  without  one  who  loved  or  cared  for  him ;  without 
one  to  sympathise  in  his  sufferings  and  administer  to  his 
wants,  except  from  interested  motives  ;  without  one  to  soothe 
his  anguish  and  soften  the  pillow  of  affliction  and  disease ; 
without  one  to  close  his  eyes  or  shed  a  tear  now  that  he 
was  dying. 

His  thoughts  naturally  reverted  to  his  wife  and  children. 
He  knew  that  two  of  these  individuals,  out  of  three,  were  in 
the  cold  grave — and  where  was  the  other  ?  The  certain 
approach  of  death  had  already  humanised  and  softened  his 
flinty  heart.  The  veil  that  had  been  drawn  by  passion  be- 
tween his  conscience  and  his  guilt  was  torn  away.  The  past 
rushed  upon  his  memory  with  dreadful  rapidity  and  truth,  and 
horrible  conviction  flashed  upon  his  soul,  as  he  unwillingly 
acknowledged  himself  to  be  the  murderer  of  his  wife  and 
child.  Remorse,  as  usual,  followed,  treading  upon  the  heels 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

of  conviction — such  remorse  that,  in  a  short  space,  the  agony 
became  insupportable. 

After  an  ineffectual  struggle  of  pride,  he  seized  the  line 
which  was  attached  to  the  bell-rope,  and  when  his  summons 
was  obeyed,  desired  that  the  vicar  might  be  immediately 
requested  to  come  to  him. 

Acquainted  with  the  admiral's  situation,  the  vicar  had 
anxiously  waited  the  summons  which  he  was  but  too  well 
aware  would  come,  for  he  knew  the  human  heart,  and  the 
ciy  for  aid  which  the  sinner  in  his  fear  sends  forth.  He  was 
soon  in  the  presence  of  the  admiral,  for  the  first  time  since 
the  day  that  he  quitted  the  house  with  the  letter  of  the 
unfortunate  Peters  in  his  possession.  The  conversation  which 
ensued  between  the  agitated  man,  who  had  existed  only  for 
this  world,  and  the  placid  teacher,  who  had  considered  it  (as 
he  inculcated)  as  only  a  preparation  for  a  better,  was  too 
long  to  be  here  inserted.  It  will  be  sufficient  to  say  that 
the  humbled  and  terrified  wretch,  the  sufferer  from  disease, 
and  greater  sufferer  from  remorse,  never  could  have  been 
identified  with  the  once  proud  and  overbearing  mortal  who 
had  so  long  spurned  at  the  precepts  of  religion  and  turned 
a  deaf  ear  to  the  mild  persuasions  of  its  apostle. 

"But  that  letter!"  continued  the  admiral  in  a  faltering 
voice — "  what  was  it  ?  I  have  yet  one  child  alive.  Oh  !  send 
immediately  for  him,  and  let  me  implore  his  forgiveness  for 
my  cruelty." 

"  That  letter,  sir,  was  written  but  one  hour  previously  to 
his  death." 

"  His  death  ! "  cried  the  admiral,  turning  his  eyes  up  to 
the  ceiling.  "  God  have  mercy  on  me  1  then  I  have  murdered 
him  also.  And  how  did  he  die  ?  Did  he  starve,  as  I  ex- 
pressed in  my  horrid,  horrid  wish  ?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  his  life  was  forfeited  to  the  offended  laws  of  his 
country." 

"  Good  God,  sir  !  "  hastily  replied  the  admiral,  whose  ruling 
passion — pride — returned  for  the  moment,  "  you  do  not  mean 
to  say  that  he  was  hanged  ?  " 

"  Even  so  ;  but  there"  is  the  letter  which  he  wrote — read  it." 

The  admiral  seized  the  letter  in  his  tremulous  hand,  and 
devoured  every  word  as  he  perused  it.  He  let  it  fall  on  his 
knees,  and  said  in  a  subdued  voice,  "  My  God !  my  God ! 
93 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

and  he  asked  forgiveness,  and  forgives  me  !  Then,  with 
frantic  exclamation,  he  continued  "  Wretch  that  I  am ; 
would  that  I  had  died  for  thee,  my  son,  my  son  ! "  and 
clasping  his  hands  over  his  head,  he  fell  back  in  a  state 
of  insensibility. 

The  vicar,  much  affected  with  the  scene,  rang  the  bell  for 
assistance,  which  was  obtained  ;  but  the  wretched  man  had 
received  a  shock  which  hastened  his  dissolution.  He  was 
too  much  exhausted  to  sit  upright,  and  they  were  obliged 
to  carry  him  to  the  bed  from  which  he  never  rose  again. 
As  soon  as  he  was  sufficiently  recovered  to  be  able  to  con- 
verse, he  waved  the  servants  from  the  room,  and  resumed  in 
a  faltering  voice— 

"  But,  sir,  he  mentions  his  child — my  grandchild.  Where 
is  he  ?  Can  I  see  him  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  not,  sir,"  replied  the  vicar,  who  then  entered 
into  a  recital  of  the  arrangements  which  had  taken  place, 
and  the  name  of  the  ship  on  board  of  which  our  hero  had 
been  permitted  to  remain,  under  the  charge  of  Adams,  the 
quarter-master. 

The  admiral  listened  to  the  recital  of  the  vicar  without 
interruption,  and  as  soon  as  it  was  finished,  to  the  great  joy 
of  the  worthy  pastor,  expressed  the  most  anxious  wish  to 
make  every  reparation  in  his  power.  Aware  that  difficulties 
might  arise  from  the  circumstance  of  our  hero's  existence 
not  being  suspected  by  his  collateral  heirs,  who  had  for  some 
time  considered  as  certain  their  ultimate  possession  of  his 
large  entailed  property,  he  directed  a  will  to  be  immediately 
drawn  up,  acknowledging  his  grandchild,  and  leaving  to  him 
all  his  personal  property,  which  was  very  considerable ;  and 
praying  the  vicar  to  take  upon  himself  the  office  of  guardian 
to  the  boy — a  request  which  was  cheerfully  complied  with. 
The  admiral  would  not  listen  to  the  repeated  requests  of  the 
vicar  to  take  the  repose  which  his  excited  and  sinking  frame 
required  until  the  necessary  document  had  been  drawn  out, 
signed,  and  duly  witnessed  When  all  was  complete  he  fell 
back  on  the  pillow,  in  such  a  state  of  exhaustion  as  threatened 
immediately  to  terminate  his  career.  It  was  late  when  the 
vicar  took  his  leave,  after  having  administered  some  little 
consolation  to  the  repentant  and  dying  man,  and  promised  to 
call  upon  him  early  on  the  ensuing  morning. 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

But  the  vicar  had  other  duties  to  perform,  which  induced 
him  to  defer  his  visit  until  the  following  noon.  Others  were 
sick,  others  were  dying,  and  needed  spiritual  consolation ; 
and  he  made  no  distinction  between  the  rich  and  the  poor. 
The  physicians  had  expressed  their  opinion  that  the  admiral 
might  linger  for  many  days,  and  the  vicar  thought  that 
advantage  might  be  derived  from  his  being  left  for  a  short 
time  to  his  own  reflections,  and  to  recover  from  the  state  of 
exhaustion  arising  from  the  communications  of  the  preceding 
evening.  When  he  arrived  at  the  hall  the  windows  were 
closed — Admiral  De  Courcy  was  no  more. 

Reader,  you  shall  hear  how  he  died.  It  was  about  two 
o'clock  in  the  morning  that  he  awoke  from  an  uneasy  slumber, 
and  felt  his  end  approaching.  The  old  crone  who  had  been 
hired  as  a  nurse  to  watch  at  night  was  fast  asleep  in  her 
chair.  The  rushlight  had  burned  low  down  in  the  socket, 
and,  through  the  interstices  of  its  pierced  shade,  threw  a 
feeble  and  alternate  light  and  shadow  over  the  room.  The 
mouth  of  the  dying  man  was  glued  together  from  internal 
heat,  and  he  suffered  from  agonising  thirst.  He  murmured  for 
relief,  but  no  one  answered.  Again  and  again  he  attempted 
to  make  his  careless  attendant  acquainted  with  his  wants,  but 
in  vain.  He  stretched  out  his  arm  and  moved  the  curtains 
of  the  bed,  that  the  noise  of  the  curtain-rings  upon  the  iron 
rods  might  have  the  effect,  and  then  fell  back  with  exhaus- 
tion, arising  from  the  effort  which  he  had  made. 

The  old  beldame,  who  for  money  was  willing  to  undertake 
the  most  revolting  offices,  and  who,  without  remuneration, 
was  so  hardened,  by  her  constant  familiarity  with  disease  and 
death,  that  she  was  callous  and  insensible  to  the  most  earnest 
supplication,  woke  up  at  the  noise  which  the  curtain-rings  had 
made,  and  opened  the  curtain  to  ascertain  what  was  required. 
Long  experience  told  her  at  once  that  all  would  soon  be  over, 
and  she  was  convinced  that  her  charge  would  never  rise  or 
speak  again. 

This  was  true  ;  but  the  suffering  man  (his  arm  lying  outside 
of  the  bedclothes  and  his  elbow  bent  upwards)  still  pointed 
with  his  finger  to  his  parched  mouth,  with  a  look  of  entreaty 
from  his  sinking  eyes.  The  old  fiend  shut  the  curtains,  and 
the  admiral  waited  with  impatience  for  them  to  reopen  with 
the  drop  of  water  "  to  cool  his  parched  tongue,"  but  in  vain. 
95 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Leaving  him  to  his  fate,  she  hobbled  about  the  room  to  secure 
a  golden  harvest,  before  others  should  make  their  appearance 
and  share  it  with  her.  His  purse  was  on  the  table ;  she  re- 
moved the  gold  which  it  contained,  and  left  the  silver ;  she 
chose  that  which  she  imagined  to  be  the  most  valuable  of  the 
three  rings  on  the  dressing-table ;  she  detached  one  seal  from 
the  chain  of  his  watch.  She  then  repaired  to  the  wardrobe 
and  examined  its  contents.  One  of  her  capacious  pockets  was 
soon  filled  with  the  finest  cambric  handkerchiefs,  all  of  which 
she  first  took  the  precaution  to  open  and  hold  up  to  the  light, 
rejecting  those  which  were  not  of  the  finest  texture.  The  silk 
stockings  were  the  next  articles  that  were  coveted ;  they  were 
unfolded  one  by  one,  and  her  skinny  arm  passed  up,  that  the 
feet  might  be  extended  by  her  shrivelled  hands,  to  ascertain 
whether  they  were  darned  or  not;  if  so,  they  were  rejected. 

The  wardrobe  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  bed,  and  on 
that  side,  the  curtains  had  not  been  closed.  The  dying  man 
had  still  enough  sight  left  to  perceive  the  employment  of  his 
attendant.  What  must  have  been  his  feelings  !  He  uttered 
a  deep  groan,  which  startled  the  old  hag,  and  she  repaired  to 
the  bedside  to  examine  the  state  of  her  charge. 

Again  he  pointed  with  his  finger  to  his  mouth,  and  again  she 
returned  to  her  employment,  without  having  rendered  the 
assistance  which  he  required.  His  eyes  followed  and  his  finger 
still  pointed.  Having  ransacked  every  drawer  and  secured 
all  that  she  dared  take,  or  that  her  pockets  could  contain,  she 
rang  the  bell  for  the  servants  of  the  house ;  then  pulling  out 
her  handkerchief,  ready  to  put  to  her  eyes  in  token  of  sym- 
pathy, she  sat  down  on  her  easy-chair  to  await  their  coming. 

In  the  meanwhile  the  eyes  of  the  unfortunate  man  gradu- 
ally turned  upward  ;  his  vision  was  gone,  but  his  agonising 
thirst  continued  to  the  last ;  and  when  the  retainers  of  the 
family  came  in  he  was  found  dead,  with  his  finger  still  point- 
ing in  the  same  direction. 

With  -ordinary  minds,  there  is  something  so  terrible  in  death, 
something  so  awful  in  the  dissolution  of  the  elements  of  our 
frame,  something  so  horrible  in  the  leap  into  the  dark  abyss, 
that  it  requires  all  the  powers  of  a  fortified  spirit,  all  the  en- 
couragement of  a  good  conscience,  and  all  the  consolations 
of  religion  and  of  faith  to  enable  us  to  muster  any  degree  of 
resolution  for  the  awful  change.  But  if  aught  can  smooth 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

the  pillow,  can  chase  away  from  the  terrified  spirit  the  doubt 
and  depression  by  which  it  is  overwhelmed,  it  is  the  being 
surrounded  and  attended  by  those  who  are  devoted  and  en- 
deared to  us.  When  love  and  duty,  and  charity  and  sym- 
pathy hover  round  the  couch  of  the  departing,  fainting  hope 
is  supported  by  their  presence,  and  the  fleeting  spirit,  directed 
by  them,  looks  upward  to  the  realms  from  which  these  heaven- 
born  passions  have  been  permitted  to  descend  on  earth,  to 
cheer  us  through  our  weary  pilgrimage. 

What,  then,  had  Admiral  De  Courcy  to  support  him  in  his 
last  moments  ?  A  good  conscience  ? — faith  ? — hope  ? — love  ? 
— duty  ? — or  even  sympathy  ?  Wanting  all,  he  breathed  his 
last.  But  let  us 

Forbear  to  judge,  for  we  are  sinners  all ; 
Close  up  his  eyes,  and  draw  the  curtains  close, 
And  let  us  all  to  meditation. 

The  vicar  affixed  seals  upon  the  drawers,  to  secure  the  re- 
mainder of  the  property  (for  the  example  of  the  old  nurse  had 
been  followed  by  many  others),  and  having  given  directions 
for  the  funeral,  returned  to  his  own  home. 

The  second  day  after  the  admiral's  death,  a  carriage  and 
four  drove  furiously  up  the  avenue  and  stopped  at  the  en- 
trance door.  The  occupants  descended,  and  rang  the  bells 
with  an  air  of  authority ;  the  summons  was  answered  by 
several  of  the  male  domestics,  who  were  anxiously  looking 
out  for  the  new  proprietor  of  the  domain.  A  tall  man,  of 
very  gentleman-like  appearance,  followed  by  a  mean-looking 
personage  in  black,  walked  in,  the  latter,  as  he  followed,  pro- 
claiming the  other  to  the  servants  as  the  heir-at-law  and 
present  owner  of  the  property.  By  this  time  the  whole 
household  were  assembled,  lining  the  hall  for  the  visitors  to 
pass,  and  bowing  and  curtseying  to  the  ground.  The  vicar, 
who  had  expected  the  appearance  of  these  parties,  had  left 
directions  that  he  might  be  immediately  acquainted  with  their 
arrival.  On  receipt  of  the  information,  he  proceeded  to  the 
hall,  and  was  ushered  into  the  library,  where  he  found  them 
anxiously  awaiting  his  arrival,  that  the  seals  might  be  with- 
drawn which  had  been  placed  upon  the  drawers. 

"Whom  have  I  the  honour  of  addressing,  sir?"  said  the 
97  G 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

vicar  to  the  taller  of  the  two,  whom  he  presumed,  by  his 
appearance,  to  be  the  superior. 

"Sir,"  replied  the  little  man  in  a  pompous  manner,  "you 
are  speaking  to  Mr.  Rainscourt,  the  heir-at-law  of  this  entailed 
property." 

"  I  am  sorry,  truly  sorry,  sir,"  replied  the  vicar,  "that  from 
not  having  been  well  informed,  you  should  be  subjected  to 
such  severe  disappointment.  I  am  afraid,  sir,  that  the  grand- 
child of  Admiral  De  Courcy  will  have  a  prior  claim." 

The  two  parties  started  from  their  chairs  and  looked  at 
each  other  in  amazement. 

"The  grandchild!"  replied  the  little  man;  "never  even 
heard  that  there  was  such  a  person." 

"  Very  probably,  sir ;  but  I  have  long  known  it,  and  so 
did  Admiral  De  Courcy,  as  you  will  perceive  when  you  read 
his  will,  which  is  in  my  possession,  as  guardian  to  the  child, 
and  upon  the  strength  of  which  office  I  have  put  seals  upon 
the  property." 

The  parties  looked  aghast. 

"We  must  inquire  into  this,"  replied  the  legal  adviser,  for 
such  he  was. 

"  I  am  ready  to  give  you  any  information  you  may  require," 
replied  the  vicar.  "  I  have  here  copies  of  the  marriage  certi- 
ficate of  the  parents  and  the  register  of  baptism  of  the  child, 
the  originals  of  which  you  will  find  in  the  parish  church 

of ,  not  five  miles  distant ;  and  I  can  most  satisfactorily 

prove  his  identity,  should  that  be  necessary." 

"And  where  is  the  grandchild  ?" 

"  At  sea,  on  board  a  man-of-war,  at  the  dying  request 
of  his  father,  who  determined  that  he  should  be  brought  up 
for  the  service.  Would  you  like  to  see  the  late  admiral's 
will  ?  " 

The  tall  gentleman  bowed  assent,  and  it  was  read.  Having 
been  carefully  examined  by  the  lawyer,  as  well  as  the  other 
documents  in  the  vicar's  possession,  all  appeared  so  clear 
and  conclusive  that  he  unwillingly  acknowledged  to  his  em- 
ployer, in  a  whisper,  that  there  was  no  chance  of  setting  the 
will  aside.  Pallid  with  the  revulsion  of  feelings  from  hope 
to  despair,  the  pretender  to  the  estates  ordered  the  horses 
to  be  brought  out,  and  on  their  being  announced,  with  a 
slight  bow  to  the  vicar,  retired  from  the  library. 
98 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

But  outside,  the  state  of  affairs  was  altered  by  the  servants 
having  overheard  the  conversation.  No  one  was  attentive 
enough  to  open  the  door  to  let  out  those  whom  they  had  so 
obsequiously  admitted,  and  one  of  the  postillions  was  obliged 
to  dismount  to  shut  up  the  chaise  after  they  had  entered  it. 
Such  is  the  deference  shown  respectively  to  those  who  are, 
or  are  not,  the  real  heirs-at-law. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

On  deck  five  hundred  men  did  dance, 
The  stoutest  they  could  find  in  France. 
We  with  two  hundred  did  advance, 

On  board  of  the  Arethusa. 
Our  captain  hailed  the  Frenchman  "  Ho  !  " 
The  Frenchman  then  cried  out  "  Hallo  !  " 

"Bear  down,  d'ye  see, 

To  our  admiral's  lee  ;  " 

"No,  no,"  says  the  Frenchman,  "that  can't  be  ;" 
"Then  I  must  lug  you  along  with  me," 

Says  the  saucy  Arethusa. 

Sea  Song. 

J.  HE  information  received    from   M'Elvina,  which  induced 

Captain  M not  to  anchor,  was  relative  to  a  French  frigate 

of  the  largest  class,  that  he  had  great  hopes  of  falling  in  with. 
She  was  lying  in  the  harbour  of  Brest,  waiting  for  a  detach- 
ment of  troops  which  had  been  ordered  to  embark,  when  she 
was  to  sail  for  Rochefort,  to  join  a  squadron  intended  to  make 
a  descent  upon  some  of  our  colonies.  Previously  to  M'Elvina's 
sailing  from  the  port  of  Havre,  the  prefect  of  that  arrondisse- 
ment  had  issued  directions  for  certain  detachments  to  march 
on  a  stated  day  to  complete  the  number  of  troops  ordered 
on  board. 

M'Elvina  had  sure  data  from  which  to  calculate  as  to  thi 
exact  period  of  embarkation,  and  was  also  aware  that  the  frigate 
had  orders  to  sail  to  the  port  of  rendezvous  the  first  favourable 
wind  after  the  embarkation  had  taken  place.  In  two  days  the 
Aspasia,  for  that  was  the  name  of  the  frigate  commanded  by 

99 


THE    KING'S.  OWN 

Captain  M ,  was  off  Ushant,  and  the  captain,  taking  the 

precaution  to  keep  well  off  the  land  during  the  daytime,  only 
running  in  to  make  the  lights  after  dark,  retained  his  position 
off  that  island  until  the  wind  shifted  to  the  northward.  He 
then  shaped  a  course  so  as  to  fall  in  with  the  French  coast, 
about  thirty  miles  to  the  southward  of  the  harbour  of  Brest. 

It  was  still  dark  when  Captain  M ,  having  run  his  distance, 

shortened  sail  and  hove-to  in  the  cruising  ground  which 
M'Elvina  had  recommended ;  and  so  correct  was  the  calcula- 
tion, as  well  as  the  information,  of  the  captain  of  the  smugglers, 
that  at  daybreak,  as  the  frigate  lay  with  her  head  in-shore, 
with  the  wind  at  N.N.W.,  a  large  vessel  was  descried  under 
the  land,  a  little  on  her  weather-bow.  After  severely  scrutinis- 
ing the  stranger  for  some  minutes  with  his  glass,  which  he 
now  handed  to  M'Elvina — 

"  That's  she,  indeed,  I  believe,"  said  Captain  M . 

"  A  large  frigate,  with  studding-sails  set,  standing  across 
our  bows,"  cried  out  the  first  lieutenant  from  the  mast- 
head. 

"  She'll  try  for  the  Passage  du  Raz ;  we  must,  cut  her  off, 
if  we  can.  Hands,  make  sail." 

The  hands  were  summoned  up  by  the  shrill  pipe  of  the 
boatswain  and  his  mates  ;  but  it  was  quite  unnecessary,  as  the 
men  had  already  crowded  on  deck  upon  the  first  report  which 
had  been  communicated  below,  and  were  in  clusters  on  the 
forecastle  and  gangways. 

"  Topmen,  aloft  1  loose  top-gallant  sails  and  royals ;  clear 
away  the  flying-jib,"  were  orders  that  were  hardly  out  of  the 
mouth  of  the  first  lieutenant,  breathless  with  his  rapid  descent 
from  aloft,  when  the  gaskets  were  off  and  the  sails  hung  flutter- 
ing from  the  yards.  In  another  minute  the  sheets  were  home, 
the  sails  hoisted  and  trimmed,  and  the  Aspasia  darted  through 
the  yielding  waves,  as  if  the  eagerness  of  pursuit  which 
quickened  the  pulses  of  her  crew  had  been  communicated 
from  them  like  an  electric  shock  to  her  own  frame,  and  she 
were  conscious  that  her  country  demanded  her  best  exertions. 

"  Pipe  the  hammocks  up,  Mr.  Hardy,"  said  Captain  M 

to  the  first  lieutenant ;  "  when  they  are  stowed,  we  will  beat 
to  quarters." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir.     Shall  we  order  the  fire  out  in  the  galley  ?  " 

"  When  the  cocoa  is  ready,  not  before  ;  there  will  be  plenty 
100 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

of  time  for  the  people  to  get  their  breakfast.  How  does  the 
land  bear,  Mr.  Pearce  ?  " 

"Saint  Island  about  S.E.  by  S.,  eight  or  nine  miles,  sir," 
replied  the  master. 

"  If  so,  I  think  we  shall  cut  him  off,  and  then  '  fight  he 
must.'" 

Both  frigates  had  hoisted  their  colours  in  defiance,  and  as 
they  were  steering  for  the  same  point,  they  neared  each  other 
fast ;  the  French  vessel,  with  his  starboard  studding-sails,  run 
ning  for  the  entrance  of  the  narrow  passage,  which  he  hoped 
to  gain,  and  the  Aspasia  close-hauled  to  intercept  him,  and  at 
the  same  time  to  avoid  the  dangerous  rocks  to  leeward,  far 
extending  from  Saint  Island,  whose  name  they  bore. 

"  Have  the  men  had  their  breakfast,  Mr  Hardy  ? "  said 
the  captain. 

"The  cocoa  was  in  the  tub,  sir,"  answered  the  first 
lieutenant,  "ready  for  serving  out,  but  they  started  it  all 
in  the  lee-scuppers.  They  wanted  the  tub  to  fill  it  with 
shot." 

Captain   M smiled  at    the    enthusiasm    of   his    crew, 

but  the  smile  was  suddenly  checked  as  he  reflected  that 
probably  many  of  the  fine  fellows  would  never  breakfast 
again. 

"  If  not  contrary  to  your  regulations,  Captain  M ,"  said 

M'Elvina,  "as  the  crew  of  the  Susanne  have  not  yet  been 
incorporated  with  your  ship's  company,  may  I  request  that 
they  may  be  stationed  together,  and  that  I  may  be  permitted 
to  be  with  them  ?  " 

"Your  suggestion  is  good,"  replied  the  captain,  "and  I 
am  obliged  to  you  for  the  offer.  They  shall  assist  to  work 
the  quarter-deck  carronades,  and  act  as  boarders  and  sail- 
trimmers.  Mr.  Hardy,  let  the  new  men  be  provided  with 
cutlasses,  and  fill  up  any  vacancies  in  the  main-deck  quarters 
from  some  of  our  own  men  who  are  at  present  stationed  at 
the  quarter-deck  guns." 

The  frigates  were  now  within  gunshot  of  each  other,  and 
it  was  impossible  to  say  which  vessel  would  first  attain  the 
desired  goal.  The  foremost  guns  of  the  respective  ships, 
which  had  been  trained  forward,  were  reported  to  bear  upon 
the  enemy,  and  both  commanders  were  aware  that  "  knocking 
away  a  stick  " — i.e.,  the  shots  striking  the  masts  or  yards  of 
101 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

her  opponent,  so  as  to  occasion  them  to  fall — would  decide 

the  point.  At  the  very  time  that  Captain  M was  giving 

directions  to  fire  the  main-deck  guns  as  they  would  bear,  the 
first  shot  from  his  antagonist  whizzed  over  his  head,  and  the 
action  commenced,  each  party  attempting  to  cripple  his 
opponent  by  firing  high  at  his  masts  and  rigging.  The  frigates 
continued  to  engage,  until  they  had  closed-to  within  half  a 
mile  of  each  other,  when  the  main-topmast  of  the  Frenchman 
fell  over  the  side. 

This  decided  the  point  as  to  his  escape  through  the  passage, 
which  he  had  made  his  utmost  exertions  to  effect,  in  pursuance 
of  the  peremptory  orders  which  he  had  received.  He  now 
hauled  his  wind  on  the  same  tack  as  the  Aspnsia,  pouring  in 
his  starboard  broadside  as  he  rounded-to.  The  manoeuvre 
was  good,  as  he  thereby  retained  his  weather-gage,  and  the 
wreck  of  his  topmast  having  fallen  over  his  larboard  side,  he 
had  his  starboard  broadside,  which  was  all  clear,  and  directed 
towards  his  opponent.  Moreover,  he  forced  the  Aspaxia  to 
follow  him  into  the  bay  formed  between  the  Bee  du  Raz 
and  the  Bee  du  Chere,  where  she  would  in  all  probability 
receive  considerable  damage  from  the  batteries  which  lined 
the  coast. 

Captain  M was  aware  of  all  this ;  but  his  only  fear  was 

that  his  enemy  should  run  on  shore,  and  prevent  his  carrying 
him  into  port.  The  Aspasia  was  soon  abreast  of  her  opponent, 

and  their  broadsides  were  exchanged,  when  Captain  M , 

who  wished  to  bring  the  action  to  a  speedy  conclusion,  shot 
his  vessel  ahead,  which  he  was  enabled  to  do,  from  his  supe- 
riority of  sailing,  after  the  main-topmast  of  the  French 
frigate  had  been  shot  away.  It  was  his  intention  not  to  have 
tacked  until  he  could  have  fetched  his  antagonist,  but  the 
galling  fire  of  the  batteries,  which  now  hulled  him  every  time, 
induced  him  to  go  about,  and  as  he  was  in  stays,  a  raking 
shot  entered  the  cabin  windows,  and  in  its  passage  along 
the  main-deck  added  ten  men  to  his  list  of  killed  and 
wounded. 

Again  the  frigates,  on  the  opposite  tacks,  poured  in  their 
broadsides ;  the  fore-yard  of  the  Frenchman  was  divided  in 
the  slings,  and  fell,  hanging  by  the  topsail  sheets  and  lifts 
and  tearing  the  sails,  which  fell  over  the  forecastle  guns,  and 
caught  fire  as  they  were  discharged  at  the  same  moment 
102 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

Nor  did  the  Aspasia  suffer  less,  for  her  mizzen-topmast  was  shot 
through,  and  her  starboard  anchor,  cut  from  her  bows,  fell 
under  her  bottom  and  tore  away  the  cable  (a  short  range  of 
which  Captain  M—  —  had  had  the  precaution  to  have  on 
deck,  as  they  fought  so  close  in-shore).  This  threw  the  men 
at  the  guns  into  confusion,  and  brought  the  ship  up  in  the 
wind.  The  cable  was  at  last  separated,  and  flew  out  of  the 
hawse-hole  after  the  anchor,  which  plunged  to  the  bottom ; 
but  this  was  not  effected  until,  like  an  enormous  serpent,  it 
had  enfolded  in  its  embraces  three  or  four  hapless  men,  who 
were  carried  with  dreadful  velocity  to  the  hawse-hole,  where 
their  crushed  bodies  for  a  time  stopped  it  from  running  out, 
and  gave  their  shipmates  an  opportunity  of  dividing  it  with 
their  axes. 

Order  was  eventually  restored,  and  the  Aspasia,  who  had 
been  raked  by  her  active  opponent  during  the  time  that  she 
was  thrown  up  in  the  wind,  continued  her  course,  and  as  she 
passed  the  stern  of  the  French  frigate,  luffed  up  and  returned 
the  compliment.  The  latter,  anxious  in  his  crippled  state  for 
the  support  of  the  batteries,  which  had  already  seriously  in- 
jured his  opponent,  continued  to  forge  in-shore. 

"  We  shall  weather  her  now ;  'bout  ship,  Mr.  Pearce. 

Recollect,  my  lads,"  said  Captain  M ,  when  the  ship  was 

about,  "  you'll  reserve  your  fire  till  we  touch  her  sides ; 
then  all  hands  to  board." 

The  Aspasia  ranged  up  on  the  weather  quarter  of  her 
antagonist,  Pearce,  the  master,  conning  her  by  the  captain's 
directions,  so  that  the  fore-chains  of  the  French  vessel  should 
be  hooked  by  the  spare  anchor  of  the  Aspasia.  The  enemy, 
who,  in  his  disabled  state,  was  not  in  a  situation  to  choose 
whether  he  would  be  boarded  or  not,  poured  in  a  double- 
shotted  and  destructive  broadside ;  and  it  was  well  for 
Captain  M that  his  ship's  company  had  received  the  rein- 
forcement which  they  had  from  the  Susanne,  for  the  French 
frigate  was  crowded  with  men,  and  being  now  within  pistol- 
shot,  the  troops,  who  were  so  thick  on  deck  as  to  impede 
the  motions  of  each  other,  kept  up  an  incessant  fire  of 
musketry,  cutting  the  Aspasia's  running  rigging,  riddling  her 
sails,  and  disabling  her  men. 

"  Hard  a-port  now  ! "  cried  Pearce,  and  the  vessels  came  in 
collision,  the  spare  anchor  in  the  Aspasia's  fore-chains  catching 
103 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

and  tearing  away  the  backstays  and  lanyards  of  the  enemy's 
fore-rigging,  and  with  a  violent  jerk  bringing  down  the 
fore-topmast  to  windward.  At  this  moment  the  reserved 
broadside  of  the  Aspasia  was  discharged,  and  the  two  frigates 
heeled  over  opposite  ways  from  the  violent  concussion  of  the 
air  in  the  confined  space  between  them.  While  yet  en- 
veloped in  the  smoke  the  men  flew  up  on  deck,  as  they  had 

been  previously  directed  by  Captain  M ,  who  leaped  upon 

the  quarter-deck  hammocks  of  his  own  frigate,  and  holding 
with  one  hand  by  the  mizzen-topmast  backstay,  with  his 
sword  in  the  other,  waving  to  encourage  his  men,  waited  a 
second  or  two  for  the  closing  of  the  after-parts  of  the  vessels 
before  he  led  on  his  boarders. 

The  smoke  rolled  away  through  the  masts  of  the  French 
frigate,  and  discovered  her  captain,  with  equal  disregard  to 
his  safety,  in  nearly  a  similar  position  on  the  hammock  rails 
of  his  own  vessel.  The  rival  commanders  were  not  six  feet 
apart  when  the  main-chains  of  the  two  vessels  crashed  as 
they  came  in  collision.  The  French  captain  drew  a  pistol 

from  his  belt  and  levelled  it  at  Captain  M ,  whose  fate 

appeared  to  be  certain ;  when  at  the  critical  moment  a  hat, 
thrown  from  the  quarter-deck  of  the  Aspasia  right  into  the 
face  of  the  Frenchman,  blinded  him  for  a  moment,  and  his 
pistol  went  off  without  taking  effect. 

"Capital  shot  that,  Willy  !"  cried  M'Elvina,  as  he  sprang 
from  the  hammocks  with  his  sword,  "  giving  point "  in  ad- 
vance, and  while  still  darting  through  the  air  with  the  impetus 
of  his  spring,  passing  it  through  the  body  of  the  French  cap- 
tain, who  fell  back  on  his  own  quarter-deck,  while  M'Elvina, 
fortunately  for  himself,  dropped  into  the  chains,  for,  had  he  a 
hundred  lives,  they  would  have  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  the  exasper- 
ated Frenchmen.  But  the  smugglers  had  followed  M'Elvina; 

and  Captain  M ,  with  the  rest  of  his  ship's  company,  were 

thronging  like  bees  in  the  rigging,  hammocks,  and  chains 
of  their  opponent.  From  the  destructive  fire  of  the  French 
troops  many  an  English  seaman  fell  dead,  or,  severely  wounded, 
was  reserved  for  a  worse  fate — that  of  falling  overboard 
between  the  ships,  and  at  the  heave  of  the  sea  being 
crushed  between  their  sides.  Many  a  gallant  spirit  was 
separated  from  its  body  by  this  horrid  death  as  the  strife 
continued. 

104 


M'Elvina  kills  the  French  Captain. 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

Possession  was  at  length  gained  of  the  quarter-deck,  but 
the  carnage  was  not  to  cease.  The  French  trcops,  stationed 
in  the  boats  on  the  booms,  formed  a  sort  of  pyramid,  vomiting 
incessant  fire ;  and  the  commandant  had  had  the  sagacity  to 
draw  up  three  lines  of  his  men,  with  their  bayonets  fixed,  from 
one  side  of  the  vessel  to  the  other,  abreast  of  the  gangways, 
forming  a  barrier,  behind  which  the  crew  of  the  French  frigate 
had  retreated,  and  which  was  impenetrable  to  the  gallant  crew 
of  the  Aspaxia,  who  were  only  provided  with  short  cutlasses. 

Captain  M ,  as  he  saw  his  men  falling  on  every  side. 

and  every  attempt  to  force  a  passage  unsuccessful,  although 
accompanied  with  heavy  loss  of  lives,  found  himself,  as  it 
were,  in  a  trap.  To  force  his  way  through  appeared  impos- 
sible;  to  retreat  was  against  his  nature.  M'Elvina,  who  had 
been  fighting  by  his  side,  perceived  the  awkward  and  danger- 
ous predicament  they  were  in,  and  his  ready  talent  suggested 
a  remedy.  Calling  out  loudly,  "  Susannes !  away  there- 
follow  me  1 "  an  order  instantlv  obeyed  by  his  men,  he  disap- 
peared with  them  over  the  hammocks,  leaping  back  upon  the 
quarter-deck  of  the  Aspasia. 

"  Curses  on  the  smuggler,  he  has  run  for  it.  At  them  again, 
my  Britons,  never  mind,"  cried  the  first  lieutenant,  leading  on 
the  men  against  the  phalanx  of  bayonets.  But  it  was  not  as 
the  first  lieutenant  had  supposed,  for  before  the  cutlasses  of 
the  seamen  had  time  again  to  strike  fire  upon  the  steel  points 
which  opposed  their  passage,  M'Elvina  reappeared  in  the  fore- 
rigging  of  the  French  vessel,  followed  by  his  smugglers,  who 
attacked  the  French  troops  in  the  rear,  with  a  loud  yell  and 
an  impetuosity  that  was  irresistible.  The  diversion  was  an- 
nounced by  a  cheer  from  Captain  M and  his  party  abaft, 

who,  rushing  upon  the  bayonets  of  the  Frenchmen,  already  in 
confusion  from  the  attack  of  M'Elvina,  forced  them  down  on 
the  main-deck,  ai,d  in  a  few  minutes  the  hatches  were  secured 
over  the  remainder  of  the  crew,  and  the  tricoloured  ensign 
disappeared  from  the  gaff,  and  announced  to  the  spectators 
in  the  batteries  on  shore  that  "  Britannia  ruled  the  naves." 


105 


THE   KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  XVII 

Brave  hearts  !  to  Britain's  pride 
Once  so  faithful  and  so  true, 

On  the  deck  of  fame  that  died 
With  the  gallant,  good  Riou,— 

Soft  sigh  the  winds  of  heaven  o'er  their  grave  ! 
While  the  billow  mournful  rolls, 
And  the  mermaid's  song  condoles, 
Singing  glory  to  the  souls 

Of  the  brave  !  CAMPBELL. 

H.ASTY  congratulations  between  the  survivors  of  the  vic- 
lorious  party  were  exchanged  as  they  proceeded  to  obey  the 

orders  which  were   issued   by  Captain  M ,  who  directed 

their  attention  to  the  relief  of  the  wounded,  lying  in  heaps 
upon  the  deck,  in  many  instances  nearly  smothered  with  the 
dead  bodies  which  had  fallen  upon  them,  and  which  their  own 
exhausted  powers  would  not  permit  them  to  remove.  The 
task  of  separation  of  those  who  were  past  all  mortal  aid  from 
those  who  might  still  derive  benefit  from  surgical  assistance 
was  as  tedious  as  it  was  afflicting.  No  distinction  was  made 
between  the  rival  sufferers,  but  as  they  came  to  hand,  English 
or  French,  they  were  carefully  conveyed  to  the  half-decks  of 
the  respective  ships,  the  surgeons  of  which  were  in  readiness 
to  receive  them,  their  shirt-sleeves  turned  up  to  the  elbows 
and  hands  and  arms  stained  with  blood,  proving  that  they  had 
already  been  actively  employed  in  the  duties  of  their  profession. 

On  the  foremost  part  of  the  larboard  side  of  the  French 

frigate's  quarter-deck,  where    Captain  M and  his  crew 

had  boarded,  the  dead  and  dying  lay  in  a  heap,  the  summit 
of  which  was  level  with  the  tops  of  the  carronades  that  they 
were  between,  and  an  occasional  low  groan  from  under  the 
mass  intimated  that  some  were  there  who  were  dying  more 
from  the  pressure  of  the  other  bodies  than  from  the  extent 
of  their  own  wounds. 

Captain  M ,  although  he  had  lost  much  blood  and  was 

still  bleeding  profusely,  would  not  leave  the  deck  until  he  had 
collected  a  party  to  separate  the  pile,  and  many  were  relieved 
who  in  a  few  minutes  more  would  have  been  suffocated. 
106 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

At  the  bottom  of  the  heap  was  the  body  of  the  gallant 

French  captain  ;  and  Captain  M was  giving  directions  to 

the  first  lieutenant  to  have  it  carried  below,  when  Willy,  who 
was  earnestly  looking  about  the  deck,  brushed  up  against  the 
latter,  who  said  to  him — 

"Come,  youngster,  out  of  the  way ;  you're  no  use  here." 

"  Has  any  one  seen  my  hat  ?  "  interrogated  the  boy  as  he 
obeyed  the  order  and  removed  to  a  short  distance. 

"  Here  it  is,  my  bantam,"  said  one  of  the  boatswain's  mates, 
who  had  discovered  it  as  they  removed  the  body  of  the  French 
captain,  under  which  it  had  lain,  jammed  as  flat  as  a  pancake. 

"  Then  it  was  to  you  that  I  was  indebted  for  that  well-timed 

assistance,"   said   Captain   M ,   taking  the   hat  from  the 

boatswain's  mate,  and  restoring  it  as  well  as  he  could  to  its 
former  shape  before  he  put  it  on  Willy's  head 

Willy  looked  up  in  the  captain's  face  and  smiled  assent  as 
he  walked  away. 

"  A  good  turn  is  never  lost,"    observed   Captain  M ; 

"and  the  old  fable  of  the  mouse  and  the  lion  is  constantly 
recurring  to  make  us  humble.  If  I  had  not  put  that  boy 
on  the  quarter-deck,  I  should  in  all  probability  have  made  a 
vacancy.  It  was  remarkable  presence  of  mind  on  his  part." 

We  have  not  broken  in  upon  our  narrative  to  state  that 
during  the  scene  we  have  described,  Mr.  Pearce,  the  master, 
had  succeeded  in  putting  both  vessels  before  the  wind,  although 
they  still  were  hugged  in  each  other's  embraces,  as  if  they  had 
always  been  the  best  friends  in  the  world,  and  they  were  now 
out  of  the  reach  of  the  enemy's  batteries,  which  (as  soon  as 
they  perceived  the  unfavourable  results  of  the  action)  had 
commenced  firing  with  red-hot  balls,  emblematical  of  their 
wrath. 

When  the  wounded  had  been  carried  below  and  placed  in 
comparative  comfort  on  board  of  their  respective  ships  the 
dead  bodies  were  next  examined.  Those  of  the  French  (with 
the  exception  of  that  of  the  captain)  were  launched  overboard, 
while  those  of  the  English  were  carried  to  their  own  frigate, 
the  only  instance  in  which  any  difference  was  shown  between 
the  rival  sufferers.  The  hatches  were  then  removed,  and 
the  French  ^officers,  having  delivered  up  their  swords,  were 
permitted  to  remain  on  deck  upon  parole,  while  the  men  were 
secured  down  below  in  the  fore  and  main  holds  of  the  Aspasia.. 
107 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  hatchways  being  covered  over  with  a  strong  splinter- 
netting,  that  they  might  not  be  deprived  of  fresh  air  in  their 
crowded  situation.  The  charge  of  the  prize  having  been 
confided  to  the  first  lieutenant  and  fifty  men,  the  two  ships 
were  separated  and  laid-to,  to  repair  the  damages  sustained 
in  the  conflict. 

Captain  M ,  whose  wounds  were  not  serious,  had  de- 
scended for  a  short  time  to  have  them  washed  and  dressed. 
His  anxiety  to  put  his  ship  in  an  efficient  state  and  get  clear 
of  the  bay  previous  to  bad  weather  coming  on  had  induced 
him  to  return  on  deck  as  soon  as  he  had  taken  a  little  refresh- 
ment. 

M'Elvina  had  also  cleansed  himself  from  the  gore  with 
which  he  had  been  begrimed,  and  having  applied  to  the 
surgeon  to  assuage  the  pain  of  a  severe  cut  which  he  had 
received  on  his  shoulder,  came  upon  the  quarter-deck  with  his 
arm  in  a  sling,  dressed  with  his  usual  precision  and  neatness. 

He  touched  his  hat  to  Captain  M ,  with  whom  he  had  not 

communicated  since  he  had  quitted  him  on  the  quarter-deck 
of  the  French  frigate  to  create  the  fortunate  diversion  in 
favour  of  the  boarders. 

"  Captain  M'Elvina,"  said  Captain  M ,  taking  his  hand 

and  shaking  it  warmly,  "  I  can  hardly  express  how  much  I  am 
obliged  to  you  for  your  conduct  this  day.  You  may  be  assured 
that,  upon  my  return,  I  shall  not  fail  to  make  a  proper  repre- 
sentation of  it  to  Government.  I  only  wish  that  there  was  any 
situation  in  my  ship  that  could  induce  you  to  remain." 

"  Thank  you,  Captain  M ,"  replied  M'Elvina,  smiling  ; 

"but,  although  on  a  smaller  scale,  I  have  long  been  accus- 
tomed to  command,  and  I  should  be  very  sorry  that  a  vacancy 
should  occur  in  the  only  situation  I  would  accept." 

"I  expected  an  answer  to  that  effect,"  replied  Captain 

M .  "  However,  you  have  this  day  nobly  redeemed  your 

character,  and  silenced  any  imputations  of  hostility  to  your 
country  that  might  be  thrown  upon  you  in  consequence  of  your 
late  employment,  and  I  sincerely  congratulate  you." 

"  Captain  M ,  as  you  are  kind  enough  to  express  friendly 

feelings  towards  me,  may  I  request  that  they  may  be  shown 
by  the  interest  you  take  in  young  Seymour  ?  I  cannot  but 
approve  his  following  the  honourable  career  marked  out  for 
him,  and  my  regret  at  parting  with  one  who  has  so  entwined 
108 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

himself  round  my  heart  will  be  considerably  lessened  by  the 
assurance   that  you  will  be  his  friend  and  protector.     Any 

"  Not  one  word  upon  that  score,"  replied  Captain  M ; 

"  the  boy  saved  my  life  this  day  by  his  unusual  presence  of 
mind,  and  I  shall  watch  over  him  as  if  he  were  my  own  child." 

"His  education?" 

"  Shall  be  attended  to,  I  pledge  you  my  honour  to  do  him 
every  justice." 

M'Elvina  bowed,  and  walked  away  to  the  other  side  of  the 
quarter-deck  ;  the  idea  of  parting  with  Willy  was  always  pain- 
ful to  him,  and  weak  with  the  loss  of  blood,  he  was  afraid  that 
the  emotion  would  be  perceived,  which  he  now  felt  less  able 
to  control. 

Thus  it  is  with  proud  man.  He  struggles  to  conceal  effects 
arising  from  feelings  which  do  honour  to  his  nature,  but  feels 
no  shame  when  he  disgraces  himself  by  allowing  his  passions 
to  get  the  better  of  his  reason,  and  all  because  he  would 
not  be  thought  womanish  I  I'm  particularly  fond  of  crying 
myself. 

The  list  of  killed  and  wounded  was  brought  up  by  the 
second  lieutenant  (the  duty  of  the  first,  who  was  in  charge 
of  the  prize,  having  devolved  upon  him),  the  former  having 
been  ascertained  by  mustering  the  ship's  company,  the  latter 
from  the  report  of  the  surgeon. 

A  deep  sigh  escaped  from  the  breast  of  the  captain  as  he 
looked  down  at  the  total.  "  Forty-four  killed ;  sixty-seven 
wounded  !  This  is  heavy  indeed.  Poor  Stevenson,  I  thought 
he  was  only  wounded." 

"  Since  dead,  sir,"  replied  the  second  lieutenant ;  "  we  have 
lost  a  pleasant  messmate." 

"And  his  Majesty  a  valuable  officer/'  replied  the  captain. 
"  I  am  afraid  his  mother  will  feel  it  in  more  ways  than  one ; 
he  supported  her,  I  think." 

"  He  did,  sir.  Will  you  not  give  an  acting  order  to  one 
of  the  young  gentlemen  ?  "  (It  was  the  third  lieutenant  over 
whom  they  were  lamenting,) 

"  Yes,  make  it  out  for  Mr.  Robertson." 

"  He's  in  the  list,  sir." 

"  What !  killed  ?     So  he  is,  poor  fellow !     Well,  then— Mr. 
Wheatley,  let  it  be  made  out  for  him." 
109 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir." 

It  was  not  until  the  ensuing  day  that  the  loss  of  the 
enemy  could  be  ascertained.  Crowded  as  were  her  decks  with 
troops,  it  was  enormous.  Not  only  the  first  and  second  captains, 
second  lieutenant,  and  seven  junior  officers  of  the  frigate  had 
fallen,  but  eleven  officers  of  the  detachment  of  soldiers  sent 
on  board  of  her.  The  total  loss  appeared  to  be  one  hundred 
and  forty-seven  killed  and  one  hundred  and  eighty-four 
wounded,  out  of  an  aggregate  of  nearly  nine  hundred  men. 

In  a  few  days  the  Aspasia  and  her  prize  arrived  at  Plymouth, 
the  English  colours  proudly  waving  over  the  tricoloured  flag 
of  her  late  opponent,  and  both  vessels  ran  into  Hamoaze 
amidst  the  cheers  of  thousands  of  spectators  assembled  upon 
Mount  Wise  and  Mount  Edgecomb  to  greet  their  gallant  and 

successful  defenders.  Captain  M immediately  proceeded 

to  London,  where  the  representation  which  he  made  of 
M'Elvina's  conduct  was  followed  by  an  order  for  his  immediate 
release ;  and  M'Elvina,  taking  an  affectionate  leave  of  Willy, 
with  a  parting  injunction  to  be  honest,  set  off  to  report  to 
old  Hornblow  and  his  daughter  Susan  all  the  circumstances 
attending  the  capture  of  his  lugger,  and  the  events  which  had 
subsequently  ensued. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

So,  poverty  at  home  and  debts  abroad, 

My  present  fortune  bad,  my  hopes  yet  worse  ! 

What  will  become  of  me  ? 

SOUTHERON'S  Isabella. 

±  HE  gentleman  who  had  supposed  himself  the  next  heir  to 
the  entailed  property  vacant  by  the  demise  of  Admiral  De 

Courcy,  and  whose  hasty  visit  and  departure  from Hall 

we  have  mentioned  in  a  previous  chapter,  was  a  third  cousin 
of  the  deceased.  His  history  is  short.  He  had  squandered 
away  the  personal  property  left  him  by  his  father,  and  his 
family  estate,  which  was  of  greater  extent  than  value,  was 
mortgaged  for  even  more  than  it  was  worth.  He  had  latterly 
subsisted  by  borrowing  large  sums  of  money  at  exorbitant 
110 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

interest,  upon  the  expectancy  of  succeeding  to  the  property  of 
Admiral  De  Courcy.  The  result  of  his  visit  to  the  hall  was, 
therefore,  unsatisfactory  in  more  ways  than  one,  and  before 
he  had  arrived  at  his  own  residence  his  obsequious  little  friend 
in  black  had  reminded  him  of  certain  bonds  which  were  in  his 
possession,  and  assumed  a  tone  and  demeanour  towards  his 
client  very  different  from  that  in  which  he  had  addressed  the 

supposed  inheritor  of  the  large  property  of  D- ,  intimating 

in  very  plain  terms  that  some  speedy  arrangement  must  be  made. 

Rainscourt,  who  had  nothing  left  except  the  old  castle  on 
his  property  at  Galway,  his  manorial  rights,  and  the  unbounded 
attachment  and  devotion  of  the  wild  tenants,  who  looked  upon 
him  as  their  feudal  chieftain,  felt  convinced  that  he  had  no 
resource  but  to  escape  from  his  numerous  creditors,  who  would 
not  hesitate  to  put  him  in  durance,  and  whose  impatience  had 
been  with  difficulty  restrained  until  the  death  of  the  admiral. 
The  speedy  arrangement  upon  which  he  determined  was  to 
set  off  immediately  for  Ireland,  and  by  regaining  his  castle, 
defy  legal  authority,  if  there  could  be  found  any  that  would 
be  rash  enough  to  attempt  his  person  wrhen  encircled  by  his 
lawless  retainers. 

As  he  descended  from  the  chaise  at  the  handsomely 
furnished  lodgings  in  the  west  end  of  the  metropolis  which 
he  had  engaged,  his  companion  informed  him  with  a  haughty 
air  that  he  would  have  the  honour  of  paying  his  respects  on 
the  ensuing  noon ;  while  Rainscourt,  with  his  usual  indifference 
to  money,  dismissed  the  post-boys  with  a  handsome  gratuity, 
although  there  were  not  many  guineas  left  in  his  purse,  and 
then  proceeded  up  to  the  drawing-room  on  the  first  floor, 
where  his  wife  and  only  daughter  were  anxiously  awaiting 
his  arrival. 

Mrs.  Rainscourt,  still  a  fine  and  elegant  woman,  had  in  her 
youth  been  remarkable  for  her  great  personal  attractions,  and 
for  two  seasons  had  been  considered  as  the  belle  of  the  Irish 
metropolis.  She  was  at  that  period  a  Ligh-spirited  and  gene- 
rous-minded girl,  easily  provoked  and  as  easily  appeased, 
proud  of  her  beauty  and  her  accomplishments,  which  her 
worldly-minded  parents  were  in  hopes  would  be  bartered 
for  a  coronet.  Rainscourt  was  also  at  that  time  one  of  the 
handsomest,  if  not  the  handsomest  man  in  Ireland,  with 
the  advantage  of  polished  manners,  talent,  and  ancient  birth. 
Ill 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Received  and  courted  in  every  society,  he  was  as  indefatig- 
able in  squandering  away  his  property  as  the  parents  of  Mrs. 
Rainscourt  were  in  trying  to  obtain  an  advantageous  estab- 
lishment for  their  daughter.  Rainscourt  was  proud  and 
overbearing  in  disposition ;  vain  to  excess  of  his  personal 
advantages,  he  considered  himself  irresistible  with  the  other 
sex.  He  had  seen  and  admired  his  future  spouse,  but  still, 
as  he  required  an  alliance  which  would  enable  him  to  indulge 
in  his  extravagance,  and  as  her  parents  were  aware  that 
Rainscourt  was,  or  would  soon  be,  a  ruined  man,  in  all  pro- 
bability they  would  never  have  come  in  contact,  but  have 
rolled  in  different  orbits,  more  consonant  to  their  views  and 
their  happiness,  had  it  not  occurred  that,  at  a  large  and 
convivial  party,  Rainscourt's  vanity  had  been  piqued  by 
his  companions,  who  told  him  that  he  never  could  obtain 

the  hand  of  Miss  ,  whose  parents  aspired  to  a  higher 

connection.  Piqued  at  this  remark,  and  flushed  with  the 
wine  that  had  been  freely  circulated,  he  offered  to  stake  a 
considerable  sum  that  he  would  succeed  before  a  certain 
allotted  time.  The  wager  was  accepted.  Rainscourt  courted 
without  affection,  and  by  his  assiduities  and  feigned  attach- 
ment, ultimately  succeeded  in  persuading  the  fond  girl  to 
destroy  all  the  golden  visions  of  her  parents  and  resign 
herself  to  his  arms,  where  he  assured  her  that  competence 
and  love  would  be  found  more  than  commensurate  to  a 
coronet  and  neglect. 

They  eloped  ;  all  Dublin  was  in  an  uproar  for  three  days. 
Rainscourt  received  the  amount  of  his  bet  and  the  congratu- 
lations of  his  friends,  and  for  a  short  time  he  and  his  wife 
lived  together  without  any  serious  fracas.  The  first  that 
occurred  proceeded  from  an  anonymous  letter,  evidently 
written  by  some  envious  and  disappointed  female,  acquaint- 
ing Mrs.  Rainscourt  with  all  the  circumstances  attending  the 
bet,  to  which  she  had  been  sacrificed.  This  mortifying  news 
was  received  with  showers  of  tears  and  some  upbraiding, 
for  Mrs.  Rainscourt  really  loved  her  husband ;  and  although 
patched  up  by  Rainscourt's  protestations  as  to  the  falsehood 
of  the  accusation,  it  sunk  deep  into  her  heart,  and  was  but 
the  forerunner  of  future  misery. 

Rainscourt  soon  became  tired  of  a  woman  whom  he  had 
never  loved ;  cursed  his  own  vanity,  that  had  induced  him 
112 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

to  saddle  himself  with  such  an  encumbrance  as  a  wife  ;  and 
by  alternate  violence  and  moroseness,  irritated  her  feelings 
and  roused  her  spirit.  Neglect  on  his  part  produced  indif- 
ference on  her  side,  and  as  the  means  of  gaiety  and  expense 
melted  away,  so  did  all  respect  and  esteem  for  each  other. 

An  extravagant  man  seldom  makes  a  good  husband  ;  he 
becomes  embarrassed,  and  his  circumstances  prey  upon  his 
mind  and  sour  his  temper.  A  woman  who  has,  before 
marriage,  been  the  admiration  of  the  metropolis  is  not  very 
likely  to  prove  a  good  wife.  She  still  sighs  for  the  adulation 
that  she  received,  and  which  from  habit  has  become  neces- 
sary to  her,  and  would  exact  from  the  man  for  whom  she 
has  given  up  the  world  all  the  attention  that  she  has  lost  by 
the  sacrifice. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt  were  joined,  but  they  were  not 
one.  Like  many  others  in  this  world  of  error,  their  marriage 
might  be  typified  by  a  vial,  of  which  one  half  had  been 
filled  with  oil  and  the  other  with  water,  having  a  cork  in  its 
mouth,  which  confined  them  and  forced  them  to  remain  in 
contact,  although  they  refused  to  unite.  The  fruit  of  this 
marriage  was  one  daughter,  now  about  six  years  old. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  all  is  well,  I  hope ;  and  may  I  not 
kiss  my  daughter  and  congratulate  her  upon  being  one  of 
the  largest  heiresses  in  the  kingdom  ?  " 

"You  may,  if  you  please,  madam." 

"May,  if  I  please?  Why,  is  it  not  so,  Mr,  Rainscourt?" 
replied  the  lady,  startled  at  the  moody  brow  of  her  husband 
as  he  threw  himself  on  the  sofa. 

Now,  Rainscourt  would  not  have  so  immediately  answered 
the  question,  but  he  was  determined  that  his  spouse  should 
participate  in  those  pangs  of  disappointment  which  swelled 
his  own  breast ;  as  a  partner  of  all  his  joys,  she  was,  of  course, 
fully  entitled  to  an  equal  proportion  of  his  cares. 

"  No,  rnadam,  it  is  not  so." 

"Surely  you  are  trifling  with  i»e,  Mr.  Rainscourt;  is  not 
the  admiral  dead  ?  " 

"  Yes,  madam,  and  his  grandchild  is  alive." 

"  His  grandchild  ! "  cried  the  lady  in  alto,  pallid  with  vexa- 
tion and  disappointment.  "  Well,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  this  is 
another  specimen  of  your  usual  prudence  and  foresight. 
What  man  in  his  senses  would  not  have  ascertained  such  a 
113  H 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

fact  previous  to '  squandering  away  his  whole  property  and 
leaving  his  daughter  a  beggar  ?  " 

"  I  think,  madam,  if  the  property  has  been  squandered,  as 
you  term  it,  that  you  have  assisted  me  in  so  doing.  At  all 
events,  the  property  was  my  own ;  for  I  cannot  exactly  recollect 
that  you  increased  it  one  shilling  when  I  married  you." 

"Certainly  not  much,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  except,  indeed,  the 
amount  of  the  bet.  I  consider  that  as  my  marriage  portion," 
replied  the  lady,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Never  made  a  worse  bet  in  my  life,"  replied  the  gentleman, 
throwing  his  legs  upon  the  sofa. 

"  Perhaps  not,"  replied  his  wife,  with  offended  seriousness.; 
"  but  recollect,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  that  you  have  no  one  to  blame 
but  yourself;  you  were  not  deceived.  I  might  have  been 
happy — might  have  met  with  sincerity  and  reciprocal  affec- 
tion. Your  conduct  towards  me  was  an  act  of  cruelty,  which 
would  have  called  forth  some  compunction  in  the  breast  of 
my  bitterest  enemy;  and  yet,  unoffending,  I  was  heartlessly 
sacrificed  to  your  vanity." 

"  Say,  rather,  to  your  own,  which  blinded  you,  or  you  would 
have  been  able  to  discriminate  better." 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  burst  into  tears.  Before  her  emotion  could 
be  controlled,  her  husband,  who  was  hardened  to  these  scenes 
of  alternate  anger  and  grief,  either  was  or  pretended  to  be  in 
a  sound  sleep. 

The  little  girl  had  nestled  close  to  her  mother  at  the  ebullition 
of  her  feelings,  and  waited  in  silence  until  it  was  exhausted. 

"  Why,  mamma,  I  thought  you  said  we  should  be  so  happy 
now." 

"  Did  I,  my  dear  ?  "  replied  Mrs.  Rainscourt  mournfully. 

"  Yes,  you  did,  and  told  me  that  we  should  have  a  fine 
house  in  London,  and  that  we  should  not  go  back  to  the  old 
castle  again.  I  was  sorry  for  that,  though.  Where  shall  we 
go  now,  mamma  ?  " 

"  God  knows,  my  child  ;  you  must  ask  your  father." 

"  Papa's  asleep,  and  I  must  not  wake  him.  I  do  hope  we 
shall  go  back  to  the  castle." 

"Then  you'll  have  your  wish,  my  love,"  replied  Mr.  Rains- 
court,  rousing  up,  "for  I  start  this  very  evening." 

"  Are  we  to  go  with  you,  Mr.   Rainscourt  ? "   asked    Mrs. 
Rainscourt  calmly;  "or  are  we  to  be  left  here  ?" 
114 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"  As  you  please ;  but  I  must  be  off,  for  that  little  scoundrel 

T threatened  me  with  a  visit  to-morrow  morning  as  I 

got  out  of  the  chaise,  and  I  am  aware  that  he  will  not  come 
without  a  companion  or  two." 

"T !  What  T ?  Your  friend  T !  that  you 

brought  from  Dublin  with  you,  and  who  professes  so  much 
admiration  and  esteem — your  own  factotum?" 

"  Yes,  my  own  factotum — snivelling  little  scoundrel.  But, 
however,  there's  no  time  to  be  lost.  You  have  some  jewels, 
my  dear,  and  other  articles  of  value ;  you  had  better  pack 
them  up  and  consign  them  to  me  as  soon  as  possible.  You 
may  then  take  your  choice — go  with  me  now,  or  follow  me  in 
a  day  or  two.  They  cannot  arrest  you." 

"I  am  aware  of  that,  Mr.  Rainscourt,"  replied  the  lady; 
"  but  as  I  may  not  have  the  means  of  following,  my  daughter 
and  I  will,  if  you  please,  become  a  part  of  your  travelling  en- 
cumbrance, as  well  as  the  jewels  and  other  articles  of  value." 

"  Be  it  so,"  replied  the  gentleman,  who  perfectly  understood 
her  sarcastic  meaning,  but  did  not  think  it  advisable  to  retort 
at  the  moment  ;  "  one  post-chaise  will  carry  us  all ;  but  we 
must  leave  town  at  twelve  o'clock  this  night.  If  I  recollect 
right,  we  are  asked  to  a  rout  at  Lady  G 's  ?  " 

"  We  are  ;  but  pray,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  how  am  I  to  get  ready 
so  soon  ?  The  servants  must  be  paid ;  all  the  bills  must  be 
called  in." 

"  If  you  wait  until  I  can  pay  all  the  bills,  you  must  wait  till 
eternity,  perhaps.  Pack  up  everything  of  value  that  is  portable, 
without  the  knowledge  of  the  servants ;  your  jewels  you  can 
have  upon  your  own  person,  or  in  a  pocket,  if  you  ever  wear 
one.  Order  the  carriage,  dress,  and  we  will  both  go  to  the 
rout.  I  shall  leave  word  with  Roberts  to  bring  me  any  letters 
which  may  be  sent,  telling  him  that  the  admiral  is  not  dead 
yet,  although  hourly  expected ;  nothing  has  transpired  to  the 
contrary.  I  can  slip  away  from  the  rout  and  write  the  letter 
myself,  which  I  will  send  by  a  porter.  When  I  go  home,  and 
the  chaise  which  I  shall  order  is  at  the  door,  I  will  put  Emily 

in  it,  and  call  for  you  at  Lady  G 's.  The  servants  may 

suspect  something,  but  it  will  then  be  too  late." 

Danger  will  unite  those  who  are  at  variance.  Mrs.  R. 
entered  readily  into  the  proposed  arrangements,  which  neces- 
sity imposed  upon  them,  and  in  a  few  hours  father,  mother, 
115 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

and  daughter  were  on  their  way  to  Ireland,  leaving  the  house- 
rent,  butchers',  bakers',  chandlers',  and  all  other  bills,  of  no 
trifling  sum-total,  to  be  paid  at  some  more  favourable  oppor- 
tunity. The  servants  indemnified  themselves  as  well  as  they 
could  by  seizing  what  was  left  and  cursing  the  elopers ;  and 
the  obsequious  little  gentleman  in  black  vowed  vengeance  as 
he  quitted  the  deserted  mansion,  to  which  he  had  paid  his 
promised  visit  in  the  morning,  with  a  particular  friend  or  two, 
to  enforce  his  arguments  with  Mr.  Rainscourt. 


CHAPTER  XIX 

Pal.  Have  you  provided  me  here  half-a-dozen  sufficient  men  1 

Shot.  Marry  have  we,  sir. 

Pal.  Let  me  see  them,  I  beseech  you. 

Shed.  Where's  the  roll !  where's  the  roll  ! 

—Let  them  appear  as  I  call. — SHAKSPEARE. 

-A.S  the  reader  will  have  a  more  intimate  acquaintance  with 
them  hereafter,  I  must  now  enter  into  some  description  of 
the  characters  of  the  captain  and  officers  with  whom  our 
hero  was  fated  to  be  a  shipmate.  To  begin  with  the  captain, 
who  has  already  made  his  appearance  in  the  course  of  these 
pages  :— 

Captain  M was  the  son  of  a  north-country  gentleman 

— one  of  the  numerous  class  still  existing  in  this  world  who 
have  inherited  large  ideas  and  small  fortunes.  As  usual,  the 
latter  were  got  rid  of  much  sooner  than  the  former.  The 

consequence  was,  that  although  young  M was  an  only 

son,  it  was  considered  advisable  that  he  should  be  brought 
up  to  some  profession.  The  naval  service  was  selected  by 
himself,  and  approved  of  by  his  father,  who,  although  he 
had  no  money,  had  some  interest ;  that  is  to  say,  he  bad  power- 
ful and  wealthy  connections,  who,  for  their  own  sakes,  rather 
than  have  to  support  their  young  relation,  would  exert  them- 
selves to  make  him  independent. 

M rose  to  the  rank  of  post-captain  as  fast  as  his  friends 

could  wish,  and  did  credit  to  their  patronage.     Having  once 

obtained  for  him  the  highest  rank  that  the  profession  could 

116 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

offer,  until  he  became  an  admiral  from  seniority,  they  thought 
that  they  had  done  enough  ;  and  had  it  not  been  that  Cap- 
tain M ,  by  his  zeal  and  abilities,  had  secured  a  personal 

interest  at  the  Board,  he  might  have  languished  on  half-pay , 
but  his  services  were  appreciated,  and  he  was  too  good  an 
officer  not  to  be  employed.  His  father  was  dead,  and  the 
payment  of  debts  which  he  had  contracted,  and  the  purchase 
of  an  annuity  for  his  mother,  had  swallowed  up  almost  all  the 
prize-money  which  Captain  M — - — ,  who  had  been  very  suc- 
cessful, had  realised ;  but  he  was  single  from  choice,  and 
frugal  from  habit.  His  pay  and  the  interest  of  the  small 
remains  of  prize-money  in  the  Funds  were  more  than  ade- 
quate to  his  wants.  He  was  enthusiastic  in  his  profession, 
and  had  the  bad  taste  to  prefer  a  fine  ship  to  a  fine  lady. 

Having  entered  the  service  at  a  later  period  than  was  usual, 
he  had  the  advantage  of  an  excellent  education,  which,  being 
naturally  of  a  serious  disposition  and  fond  of  reading,  he  had 
very  much  improved  by  study.  As  an  officer  he  was  a  perfect 
master  of  his  profession,  both  in  theory  and  practice,  and  was 
what  is  termed  afloat  "all  for  the  service."  Indeed,  this 
feeling  was  so  powerful  in  him  that,  like  Aaron's  rod,  it 
swallowed  up  all  the  rest.  If  there  was  any  blemish  in  his 
character,  it  was  in  this  point.  Correct  himself,  he  made  no 
allowance  for  indiscretion ;  inflexibly  severe,  but  always  just, 
he  in  no  instance  ever  spared  himself,  nor  would  he  ever  be 
persuaded  to  spare  others.  The  rules  and  regulations  of  the 
service,  as  laid  down  by  the  Board  of  Admiralty  and  the 
articles  of  war,  were  as  rigidly  observed  by  him,  and  exacted 
from  others,  as  if  they  had  been  added  to  the  Decalogue ; 
and  any  deviation  or  neglect  was  sure  to  bring  down  repri- 
mand or  punishment  upon  the  offender,  whether  it  happened 
to  be  the  senior  lieutenant  or  the  smallest  boy  in  the  ship's 
company. 

But  with  all  his  severity,  so  determined  was  Captain  M 

to  be  just  that  he  never  would  exercise  the  power  without 
due  reflection.  On  one  occasion,  in  which  the  conduct  of  a 
sailor  had  been  very  offensive,  the  first  lieutenant  observed 
that  summary  punishment  would  have  a  very  beneficial  effect 
upon  the  ship's  company  in  general.  "Perhaps  it  might, 

Mr.  H ,"  replied  he ;  "  but  it  is  against  a  rule  which  I 

have  laid  down,  and  from  which  I  never  deviate.  Irritated 
117 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

as  I  am  at  this  moment  with  the  man's  conduct,  I  may  per- 
haps consider  it  in  a  more  heinous  light  than  it  deserves,  and 
be  guilty  of  too  great  severity.  I  am  liable  to  error — subject, 
as  others,  to  be  led  away  by  the  feelings  of  the  moment — and 
have  therefore  made  a  compact  with  myself  never  to  punish 
until  twenty-four  hours  after  the  offence  has  been  committed  ; 
and  so  repeatedly,  when  at  the  time  I  have  settled  in  my 
mind  the  quantum  of  punishment  that  the  offender,  should 
receive,  have  I  found,  upon  reflection,  which  delay  has  given 
time  for,  reasons  to  mitigate  the  severity,  that  I  wish,  for  the 
benefit  of  the  service,  that  the  Admiralty  would  give  a  stand- 
ing order  to  that  effect." 

Such  was  the  character  of  Captain  M .  It  hardly  need 

be  added,  after  the  events  already  narrated  of  this  history, 
that  he  was  a  man  of  undaunted  bravery.  In  his  person  he 
was  tall,  and  rather  slight  in  figure.  His  features  were  regular, 
but  there  was  a  sternness  in  his  countenance  and  lines  of 
deep  thought  on  his  brow  which  rendered  the  expression 
unpleasing.  It  was  only  when  he  smiled  that  you  would  have 
pronounced  him  handsome  ;  then  he  was  more  than  hand- 
some, he  was  fascinating, 

Mr.  Bully,  the  first  lieutenant  (who  was  the  second  lieu- 
tenant in  the  ship  in  the  action  with  the  French  frigate),  was 
an  officer  who  well  understood  his  duty.  He  had  the  merit 
of  implicitly  obeying  all  orders ;  and  considering  the  well- 
known  fact  that  a  first  lieutenant  has  always  sufficient  cause 
to  be  put  out  of  temper  at  least  twenty  times  during  the 
twelve  hours,  he  was  as  good-tempered  as  a  first  lieutenant 
could  possibly  be.  He  had  entered  the  service  when  very 
young,  and  being  of  humble  extraction,  had  not  had  any 
advantage  of  education.  In  person  he  was  short  and  thick- 
set, and  having  suffered  severely  from  the  smallpox  during 
his  infancy,  was  by  no  means  prepossessing  in  his  outward 
appearance. 

The  second  lieutenant,  whose  name  was  Price,  was  a  good- 
looking  young  man,  who  kept  his  watch  and  read  Shakspeare. 
He  was  constantly  attempting  to  quote  his  favourite  author ; 
but,  fortunately  for  those  who  were  not  fond  of  quotations, 
his  memory  was  very  defective. 

Mr.  Courtenay,  the  third  lieutenant,  was  a  little,  bilious- 
looking  personage,  who,  to  use  the  master's  phraseology,  was 
118 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

never  quite  happy  unless  he  was  d d  miserable.  He  was 

full  of  misfortunes  and  grievances,  and  always  complaining  or 
laughing  at  his  real  or  imaginary  disasters  ;  but  his  complaint 
would  often  end  in  a  laugh,  or  his  mirth  terminate  in  a  whine. 
You  never  could  exactly  say  whether  he  was  in  joke  or  in 
earnest.  There  was  such  a  serio-comic  humour  about  him,, 
that  one  side  of  his  countenance  would  express  pleasure,  while 
the  other  indicated  vexation.  There  seemed  to  be  a  per- 
petual war  in  his  composition  of  good-humour  versus  bile, 
both  of  which  were  most  unaccountably  blended  in  the  same 
temperament. 

According  to  seniority,  Mr.  Pearce,  the  master,  is  the  next 
to  be  introduced  to  the  reader.  In  external  appearance  a 
rough,  hard-headed  north -country  man,  but  with  an  un- 
promising exterior,  he  was  a  man  with  sense  and  feeling. 
He  had  every  requisite  for  his  situation  :  his  nerves  wei*e  like 
a  chain-cable  ;  he  was  correct  and  zealous  in  his  duty,  and 
a  great  favourite  of  the  captain's,  who  was  his  countryman. 
He  was  about  fifty  years  of  age,  a  married  man,  with  a  large 
family. 

The  surgeon,  whose  name  was  Macallan,  was  also  most 

deservedly  a  great  favourite  with  Captain  M ;  indeed, 

there  was  a  friendship  between  them,  grown  out  of  long 
acquaintance  with  each  other's  worth,  inconsistent  with  and 
unusual  in  a  service  where  the  almost  despotic  power  of  the 
superior  renders  the  intimacy  of  the  inferior  similar  to  the 
smoothing  with  your  hand  the  paw  of  a  lion,  whose  fangs,  in 
a  moment  of  caprice,  may  be  darted  into  your  flesh.  He  was 
a  slight-made,  spare  man,  of  about  thirty-five  years  of  age, 
and  had  graduated  and  received  his  diploma  at  Edinburgh — 
an  unusual  circumstance  at  that  period,  although  the  educa- 
tion in  the  service  was  so  defective  that  the  medical  officers 
were  generally  the  best  informed  in  the  ship.  But  he  was 
more  than  the  above  ;  he  was  a  naturalist,  a  man  of  profound 
research,  and  well  infonned  upon  most  points  ;  of  an  amiable 
and  gentle  disposition,  and  a  sincere  Christian. 

It  would  naturally  be  inferred  that  those  whose  profession 
it  is  to  investigate  the  human  frame,  and  constantly  have 
before  their  eyes  the  truth  that  we  are  fearfully  and  wonder- 
fully made,  would  be  more  inclined  than  others  to  acknowledge 
the  Infinite  wisdom  and  power.  But  this  is  too  often  found 
119 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

not  to  be  the  case,  and  it  would  appear  as  if  the  old  scholium, 
that  "  too  much  familiarity  breeds  contempt,"  may  be  found 
to  act  upon  the  human  mind  even  when  in  communion  with 
the  Deity.  With  what  awe  does  the  first  acquaintance  with 
death  impress  us  !  What  a  thrill  passes  through  the  living 
as  it  bends  over  the  inanimate  body  from  which  the  spirit 
has  departed  1  the  clay  that  returns  to  the  dust  from  which 
it  sprung,  the  tenement  that  was  lately  endued  with  volition 
and  life,  the  frame  that  exhibited  a  perfection  of  mechanism, 
deriding  all  human  power  and  confounding  all  human  ima- 
gination, now  an  inanimate  mass,  rapidly  decomposing,  and 
soon  to  become  a  heap  of  corruption  1 

Strong  as  the  feeling  is,  how  evanescent  it  becomes  when 
once  familiarised  !  It  has  no  longer  power  over  the  senses, 
and  the  soldier  and  sailor  pillow  themselves  on  the  corpse 
with  perfect  indifference,  if  not  with  a  jest.  So  it  is  with 
those  who  are  accustomed  to  post-mortem  arrangements,  who 
wash  and  lay  out  the  body  previous  to  interment. 

Yet,  although  we  acknowledge  that  habit  will  remove  the 
first  impressions  of  awe,  how  is  it  that  the  minute  investi- 
gation upon  which  conviction  ought  to  be  founded  should 
too  often  have  the  contrary  effect  from  that  which  it  should 
produce  ?  Is  it  because  mystery,  the  parent  of  awe,  is  in  a 
certain  degree  removed  ? 

Faith,  says  the  Apostle,  is  the  evidence  of  things  not 
seen.  There  would  be  no  merit  in  believing  what  is  perfectly 
evident  to  the  senses.  Yet  some  would  argue  that  the 
evidence  ought  to  be  more  clear  and  palpable.  If  so,  would 
not  the  awe  be  also  removed,  and  would  religion  gain  by  it  ? 
We  have  enough  imparted  to  convince  us  that  all  is  right ; 
and  is  not  that  which  is  hidden  or  secret  purposely  intended 
to  produce  that  awe,  without  which  the  proud  mind  of  man 
would  spurn  at  infinite  wisdom  ? 

The  above  digression  had  nearly  caused  me  to  omit  that 
Macallan  had  one  peculiar  failing.  His  language,  from  long 
study,  had  been  borrowed  from  books  more  than-  from  men  ; 
and  when  he  entered  upon  his  favourite  science  of  natural 
history,  his  enthusiasm  made  him  more  pedantic  in  his  style 
and  pompous  in  his  phraseology  than  ever.  But  who  is 
perfect  ? 

The  purser,  O'Keefe,  was  an  elderly  man,  very  careful  of 
120 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

the  pounds,  shillings,  and  pence.  He  was  afflicted  with  an 
incurable  deafness,  which  he  never  thought  proper  to  acknow- 
ledge, but  catching  at  a  word  or  two  in  the  sentence,  would 
frame  his  answer  accordingly,  occasioning  frequent  mirth  to 
his  messmates,  whom  he  imagined  were  laughing  with  and 
not  at  him.  For  the  present  I  shall  pass  over  the  rest  of  the 
officers,  with  the  exception  of  the  boatswain,  whose  character 
was  of  a  very  peculiar  nature. 

He  was  a  man  who  had  long  been  considered  as  one  of  the 
best  boatswains  in  the  service,  and  had  been  applied  for  by 

Captain  M .      He  used  his  cane  with   severity,  but  had 

always  some  jest  at  hand  to  soften  down  the  smart  of  the 
blow,  and  was  very  active  in  his  own  person,  setting  an 
example  to  the  men.  It  had,  however,  happened  that,  about 
a  year  before  he  joined,  Mr.  Hardsett  had  been  induced  by 
his  wife  to  go  with  her  to  a  conventicle  which  the  rising  sect 
of  Methodists  had  established  at  the  port  where  she  resided  ; 
and  whether  it  was  that  his  former  life  smote  his  conscience 
or  that  the  preacher  was  unusually  powerful,  he  soon  became 
one  of  the  most  zealous  of  his  converts.  He  read  nothing 
but  his  Bible,  which  employed  all  his  leisure  hours,  and  he 
was  continually  quoting  it  in  his  conversation.  But  he  was 
not  exactly  a  Methodist,  taking  the  cognomen  in  the  worst 
or  the  best  interpretation  ;  he  was  an  enthusiast  and  a  fanatic, 
notwithstanding  which  he  contrived  that  his  duty  towards  his 
Maker  should  not  interfere  with  that  of  boatswain  of  the 

ship.     Captain  M regretted  the  man's  bigotry  ;  but  as  he 

never  tried  to  make  any  converts  and  did  his  duty  in  his 
situation,  the  captain  did  not  attempt  to  interfere  with  his 
religious  opinions,  the  more  so  as  he  was  convinced  that 
Hardsett  was  sincere. 

The  Aspasia  was  but  a  short  time  in  harbour,  for  the 
captain  was  anxious  to  add  to  the  laurels  which  he  had 
already  won,  and  having  reported  the  ship  ready  for  sea, 
received  an  order  to  proceed  to  the  West  India  station.  The 
frigate  was  unmoored,  the  blue-peter  hoisted,  and  the  fore- 
topsail  loosened  as  the  signal  for  departure  ;  and  after  lying 
a  short  time  with  her  anchor  "shot  stay  apeak,"  Captain 

M came  on  board,  the  anchor  was  run  up  to  the  bows,  and 

once  more  the  frigate  started,  like  an  armed  knight  in  search 
of  battle  and  adventure. 

121 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

It  was  two  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  and  the  tenants  of 
the  gun-room  had  assembled  to  their  repast.  "  Now  all  my 
misery  is  about  to  commence,"  cried  Courtenay,  as  he  took 
his  seat  at  the  gun-room  table,  on  which  the  dinner  was 
smoking  in  all  the  variety  of  pea-soup,  Irish  stew,  and  boiled 
mutton  with  caper  sauce. 

"  Indeed ! "  said  the  master.  "  Pray,  then,  what  is  it 
that  you  have  been  grumbling  about  ever  since  you  have 
joined  the  ship  ?  " 

"  Psha !  they  were  only  petty  vexations,  but  now  we  are 
at  sea.  I  shall  be  sea-sick.  I  am  always  obliged  to  throw 
off  the  accumulation  of  bile  whenever  I  go  out  of  harbour." 

"  I  say,  doctor,"  replied  Pearce,  "  can  you  stop  up  the  leak 
in  that  little  gentleman's  liver  ?  He's  not  content  to  keep  a 
hand-pump  going  to  get  rid  of  his  bile  when  in  harbour,  but 
it  seems  that  he  requires  the  chain-pumps  to  be  manned 
when  he  goes  to  sea." 

"  Chain-pumps  !  "  exclaimed  Courtenay,  shuddering,  and 
drawing  back  his  head  with  a  grimace  at  the  idea  of  such  a 
forcible  discharge,  and  then  looking  round  at  his  messmates 
with  one  of  his  serio-comic  faces. 

"  Pumps !  ay,"  said  Price  ;  "  you  remember  Shakspeare  in 
the  '  Tempest,'  he  says — dear  me — I — 

"Come,  Price,"  said  Courtenay,  "don't  make  me  sick 
before  my  time  ;  it's  unkind.  You  don't  know  what  an  ana- 
logy there  is  between  spouting  and  sea-sickness.  In  both 
cases  you  throw  up  what  is  nauseous,  because  your  head  or 
your  stomach  is  too  weak  to  retain  it.  Spare  me,  then,  a 
quotation,  my  dear  fellow,  till  you  see  me  in  the  agony  of 
Nature  '  aback,'  and  then  one  will  be  of  service  in  assisting 
her  efforts  to  '  box  off.'  I  say,  Billy  Pitt,  did  you  stow  away 
the  two  jars  of  pickled  cabbage  in  my  cabin  ?  " 

We  must  here  break  off  the  conversation  to  introduce  this 
personage  to  the  reader.  He  was  a  black,  who  ran  away, 
when  quite  a  lad,  from  his  master  at  Barbadoes,  and  entered 
on  board  of  a  man-of-war.  Macallan,  the  surgeon,  had  taken 
a  fancy  to  him,  and  he  had  been  his  servant  for  some  years, 
following  him  into  different  ships.  He  was  a  very  intelligent 
and  singular  character.  Macallan  had  taught  him  to  read 
and  write,  and  he  was  not  a  little  proud  of  his  acquirements. 
He  was  excessively  good-humoured,  and  a  general  favourite 
122 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

of  the  officers  and  ship's  company,  who  used  to  amuse  them- 
selves with  his  peculiarities  and  allow  him  a  greater  freedom 
than  usual.  But  Billy's  grand  forte,  in  his  own  opinion,  was 
a  lexicographer.  He  had  a  small  Entick's  dictionary.,  which 
he  always  carried  in  his  jacket-pocket,  and  nothing  gave  him 
so  much  pleasure  as  any  one  referring  to  him  for  the  meaning 
of  a  hard  word,  which,  although  he  could  not  always  explain 
correctly,  he  certainly  did  most  readily.  Moreover,  he  was, 
as  may  be  supposed,  very  fond  of  interlarding  his  conversa- 
tion with  high-sounding  phraseology,  without  much  regard 
as  to  the  context. 

Although  Billy  Pitt  was  the  doctor's  servant,  Courtenay, 
who  had  taken  a  great  fancy  to  him,  used  to  employ  him  as 
his  own,  to  which,  as  the  doctor  was  not  a  man  who  required 
much  attendance  himself  and  was  very  good-natured,  no 
objection  had  been  raised. 

We  must  repeat  the  question — 

"  I  say,  Billy  Pitt,  did  you  stow  away  the  two  jars  of  pickled 
cabbage  in  my  cabin  ?  " 

"  No,  sar,  I  no  hab  'em  to  stow.  Woman  say  that  Mr. 
Kartney  not  pay  for  the  pickled  onun — say  quite  incongrous 
send  any  more." 

"  Not  pay  for  the  onions  !  No,  to  be  sure  I  didn't ;  but  1 
gave  her  a  fresh  order,  which  is  the  same  thing."  (Price  laid 
down  the  potato  which  he  was  in  the  act  of  peeling,  and 
stared  at  Courtenay  with  astonishment.)  "  Well,  to  a  London 
tradesman  it  is,  I  can  assure  you." 

"  It  may  be,  but  I  cannot  conceive  how.  If  you  owe  me 
ten  shillings,  I  can't  consider  borrowing  ten  more  the  same 
thing  as  paying  the  first." 

"  Pooh  '  you  do  not  understand  these  things." 

"  I  do  not,  most  certainly,"  replied  the  master,  resuming 
his  potato. 

"  And  so  you  haven't  got  them  ?  "  resumed  Courtenay  to 
the  servant. 

"  No,  sar.  She  say  Massa  Kartney  owe  nine  shillings  for 
onuns,  and  say  I  owe  farteen  for  'baccy,  and  not  trust  us  any 
more.  I  tell  just  as  she  say,  sir.  Gentleman  never  pay  for 

anything.      She  call  me  d d  nigger,  and  say  like  massa 

like  man.  I  tell  her  not  give  any  more  rhoromantade,  and 
walk  out  of  shop." 

123 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

"  Well,  how  cursed  annoying  !  Now,  I  never  set  my  mind 
upon  anything  but  I'm  disappointed.  One  might  as  well  be 
Sancho  in  the  Isle  of  Barataria.  I  think  I'll  go  up  to  the 
captain  and  ask  him  to  heave-to  while  I  send  for  them.  Do 
you  think  he  would,  master,  eh  ?  "  said  Courtenay  in  affected 
simplicity  of  interrogation. 

"  You  had  better  try  him,"  replied  Pearce,  laughing. 

"  Well,  it  would  be  very  considerate  of  him,  and  pickled 
cabbage  is  the  only  thing  that  cures  my  sea-sickness." — (Per- 
ceiving Price  about  to  speak)—"  Stop  now — it's  no  use — 
there's  not  a  word  about  pickled  cabbage  in  Shakspeare." 

"  I  did  not  say  that  there  was,"  retorted  Price ;  "  but 
there's  'beef  without  mustard,'  and  that  will  be  your  case 
now." 

"  And  there's  'Write  me  down  an  ass,'  "  replied  Courtenay, 
who  was  not  a  little  vexed  at  the  loss  of  his  favourite  con- 
diment. 

"Did  you  hear  what  Courtenay  said  of  you,  O'Keefe?" 
continued  Price,  turning  to  the  purser. 

"  Yes — yes — I  know — hand  him  over  a  glass  ;  but  this  is 
not  a  clane  one.  Steward,  will  you  bring  a  clane  wine- 
glass ?  " 

The  rest  laughed,  while  Courtenay  proceeded — - 

"  Why,  O'Keefe,  you  hear  better  than  ever.  I  say,  doctor, 
you  must  put  me  in  the  sick  list ;  I'm  not  fit  to  take  charge 
of  a  watch." 

"  If  you'll  prove  that  to  me,"  replied  Macallan,  "  I  certainly 
will  report  you." 

"Well,  I'll  prove  it  to  you  in  five  seconds.  I'm  just  in 
that  state,  that  if  everything  in  the  ship  was  to  go  overboard 
to  the  devil  I  shouldn't  care.  Now,  with  such  a  feeling  of 
indifference  a  person  is  not  fit  to  be  trusted  with  the  charge 
of  a  watch." 

"That  you're  not  fit  to  be  trusted  with  the  charge  of  a 
watch,  as  you  state  it  yourself,  I  shall  not  deny,"  replied 
Macallan ;  "  but  I  consider  that  to  be  a  complaint  for  which 
you  ought  rather  to  be  put  o/f  the  list  than  on  it." 

"  Ha  !  ha !  ha  1  I  say,  Courtenay,  you  know  what  Shak- 
speare says — •'  Tis  the  curse  of  service,'  that — that ' 

"All  hands,  'bout  ship  !"  now  resounded  through  the  ship 
as  it  was  repeated  in  the  variety  of  basses  of  the  boatswain 
124 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

and  his  mates  at  either  hatchway,  one  of  the  youngsters  of 
the  watch  running  down  at  the  same  time  to  acquaint  the 
officers,  in  his  shrill  falsetto,  with  that  which  had  been  roared 
out  loud  enough  to  startle  even  the  deaf  purser.  The  first 
lieutenant,  followed  by  the  master,  brushed  by  him,  and  was 
up  the  ladder  before  his  supererogatory  communication  could 
be  delivered. 

"  How  cursed  annoying  1 "  cried  Courtenay.  "  I  was  just 
feeling  a  little  better,  and  now  I  shall  be  worse  than  ever." 

"  You  recollect  in  the  '  Tempest,' "  said  Price,  "  where 
Shakspeare  says " 

"  Forecastle,  there  !  "  roared  out  Captain  M from  the 

quarter-deck  in  a  voice  that  was  distinctly  heard  below. 

"  By  Jove  !  you'd  better  skip  for  it,  or  you'll  have  what 

Captain  M says.  He's  hailing  your  station,"  said 

Courtenay,  laughing — a  piece  of  advice  immediately  acted 
upon  by  Price,  who  was  up  the  ladder  and  on  the  forecastle 
in  a  few  seconds.  "  And  I  must  go  up  too.  How  cursed 
annoying  to  be  stationed  in  the  waist  !  Nothing  to  do,  ex- 
cept to  stop  my  ears  against  the  infernal  stamp-and-go  of 
the  marines  and  after-guards  over  my  head  ;  sweet  music  to 
a  first  lieutenant,  but  to  me  discord  most  horrible.  I  could 
stamp  with  vexation." 

"  Had  you  not  better  go  first  and  stamp  afterwards  ? " 
observed  the  surgeon  drily. 

"  I  think  I  had,  indeed,"  replied  Courtenay,  as  he  bolted 
out  of  the  gun-room  door.  "  Cursed  annoying ;  but  the 
captain  is  such  a  bilious  subject." 


CHAPTER  XX 

This   chair  shall  be   my  state,  this  dagger  my  sceptre,  and  this 
cushion  my  crown. — Henry  IV.,  Part  L 

W  E  must  now  descend  to  the  steerage,  where  our  hero  is 
seated  in  the  berth,  in  company  with  a  dozen  more  (as  they 
designated  themselves,  from  the  extreme  heat  of  their  domi- 
cile) perspiring  young  heroes,  who  were  amusing  themselves 
with  crunching  hard  biscuits,  and  at  the  same  time  a  due 
125 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

proportion  of  those  little  animals  of  the  scaribee  tribe  de- 
nominated weevils,  who  had  located  themselves  in  the  un- 
leavened bread,  and  which  the  midshipmen  declared  to  be 
the  only  fresh  meat  which  they  had  tasted  for  some  time. 

Captain  M 's  character  stood  so  high  at  the  Admiralty, 

that  the  major  part  of  the  young  aspirants  who  had  been  com- 
mitted to  his  charge  were  of  good  family  and  connections. 
At  that  time  few  of  the  aristocracy  or  gentry  ventured  to 
send  their  sons  into  the  navy,  whereas  at  present  none  but 
those  classes  can  obtain  admission. 

A  better  school  for  training  young  officers  could  not  have 
been  selected,  and  the  midshipmen's  berth  of  the  Aspasin 

was  as  superior  to  those  in  other  ships  as  Captain  M was 

himself  to  the  generality  of  his  contemporary  captains  in  the 
service.  But  1  cannot  pay  these  young  men  the  compliment 
to  introduce  them  one  by  one,  as  I  did  the  gun-room  officers. 
It  would  be  an  anomaly  unheard  of.  I  shall,  therefore,  with 
every  respect  for  them,  describe  them  just  as  I  want  them. 
It  was  one  bell  after  eight  o'clock;  a  bottle  of  ship's  rum,  a 
black-jack  of  putrid  water,  and  a  tin  bread-basket  are  on  the 
table,  which  is  lighted  with  a  tallow-candle  of  about  thirteen 
to  the  pound. 

"  I  say,  Mr.  Jerry  Sneak,  what  are  you  after  there  ?  What 
are  you  foraging  for  in  that  locker  ?  "  said  one  of  the  oldsters 
of  the  berth  to  a  half -starved,  weak -looking  object  of  a 
youngster,  whose  friends  had  sent  him  to  sea  with  the  hopes 
of  improving  his  stamina. 

"  What  for  ?  Why,  for  my  supper,  if  you  must  know.  D'ye 
think  I  look  too  fat  ?  I  stowed  it  away  before  I  went  on  deck, 
that  it  might  not  fall  into  your  ravenous  maw." 

"  Mind  your  stops,  my  Jack  of  the  Bonehouse,  or  I  shall  shy 
a  biscuit  at  your  head." 

"  Do,  and  prove  your  bravery ;  it  will  be  so  very  courageous, 
I  suppose  you  will  expect  to  be  gazetted  for  it." 

The  youngster  who  had  been  dignified  with  the  above 
sobriquet,  and  who  made  these  replies,  was  certainly  a  most 
miserable-looking  object,  and  looked  as  if  a  top-gallant  breeze 
would  have  blown  him  to  atoms.  But  if  his  body  was  weak, 
his  tongue  was  most  powerful.  He  resorted  to  no  other 
weapon,  and  used  that  skilfully.  He  was  a  species  of  Thersites, 
and  no  dread  of  punishment  could  control  his  railing.  He 
126 


THE    KING'S    OWN 

offered  no  resistance,  but  bent  down  like  the  reed  and  resumed 
his  former  position  as  soon  as  the  storm  was  over.  His  keen 
and  sarcastic  remarks,  although  they  occasionally  subjected  him 
to  chastisement,  to  a  certain  degree  served  him  as  a  defence, 
for  he  could  always  raise  a  laugh  at  the  expens-e  of  the 
individual  whom  he  attacked,  with  the  formidable  weapon 
which  he  had  inherited  direct  from  his  mother. 

The  oldster  before  mentioned  put  his  hand  into  the  bread- 
basket and  seized  a  handful  of  the  biscuit.  "  Now  I'll  bet  you 
a  glass  of  grog  that  you  don't  throw  a  biscuit  at  my  head," 
cried  Jerry,  with  a  sneer. 

"  Done,"  replied  the  oldster,  throwing  the  contents  of  his 
hand  at  Jerry  with  all  his  force. 

"I'll  just  trouble  you  for  that  glass  of  grog,  for  you've  lost," 
said  the  youngster,  taking  it  up  from  the  table  where  it  stood 
before  the  oldster;  "you've  only  thrown  some  pieces,  and 
not  a  biscuit ; "  and  following  up  his  words  with  deeds,  he 
swallowed  down  the  whole  contents  of  the  tumblei*,  which  he 
replaced  very  coolly  before  his  opponent. 

"  Fair  bet,  and  fairly  lost,''  cried  the  rest  of  the  berth, 
laughing. 

"You  scarecrow!  you're  not  worth  thrashing,"  said  the 
oldster  angrily. 

"  Why,  that's  exactly  what  I  have  been  trying  to  impress 
upon  your  memory  ever  since  I  have  joined  the  ship.  There's 
no  credit  to  be  gained  by  licking  a  half-starved  wretch  like  I 
am  ;  but  there's  Bruce,  now  "  (pointing  to  one  of  the  oldsters, 
between  whom  and  his  opponent  a  jealousy  subsisted)  ;  "  why 
don't  you  lick  him  ?  There  would  be  some  credit  in  that. 
But  you  know  better  than  to  try  it." 

"Do  I  ? "  retorted  the  oldster,  forgetting  himself  in  the 
heat  of  the  moment. 

"Yes,  you  do,"  replied  Bruce,  jumping  up  in  defiance  ;  and 
there  was  every  appearance  of  a  disturbance,  much  to  the 
delight  of  Jerry,  who,  provided  that  they  fought,  was  quite 
indifferent  which  party  was  the  victor.  But  a  fortunate 
interruption  took  place  by  the  appearance  of  the  master- 
at-arms. 

"  Nine  o'clock,  gentlemen,  if  you  please ;  the  lights  must 
be  put  out." 

"  Very  well,  master-at-arms/'  replied  one  of  the  oldsters. 
127 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

The  master-at-arms  took  his  seat  on  a  chest  close  to  the 
door  of  the  berth,  aware  that  a  second  summons,  if  not  a 
third,  would  be  requisite  before  his  object  was  attained. 
In  a  few  minutes  he  again  put  his  head  into  the  berth — 
"  Nine  o'clock,  gentlemen,  if  you  please.  I  must  report  you 
to  the  first  lieutenant." 

"Very  well,  By  field  ;  it  shall  be  out  in  a  minute." 

The  master-at-arms  resumed  his  station  on  the  chest  out- 
side. 

"  Why,  it's  Saturday  night,"  cried  Bruce.  "  Sweethearts 
and  wives,  my  boys,  though  I  believe  none  of  us  are  troubled 
with  the  latter.  Forster,  pass  the  rum." 

"  I'll  pass  the  bottle,  and  you  may  make  a  bull  of  it,  if  you 
choose.' 

"  Confound  it,  no  more  grog,  and  Saturday  night.  I  must 
drink  '  Auld  lang  syne/  by  heavens  I  " 

The  master-at-arms  again  made  his  appearance.  "  Gentle- 
men, you  must  put  the  light  out." 

"Stop  one  minute,  Byfield.  Let  us  see  whether  we  can 
get  any  more  rum." 

The  excuse  appeared  reasonable  to  the  jack  in  office,  and 
he  disappeared. 

"  Boy,  tell  Billy  Pitt  I  want  him." 

Billy  Pitt  had  turned  in,  but  was  soon  roused  out  of  his 
hammock  and  made  his  appearance  at  the  berth-door  with 
only  his  shirt  on  that  he  was  sleeping  in. 

"  You  want  me,  Massa  Bruce  ?  " 

"  Billy,  my  beau,  you  know  everything.  We  sent  for  you 
to  tell  us  what's  the  meaning  of  a  repartee  ?  " 

"  Repartee,  sir — repartee  ! — stop  a  bit — Eh — I  tell  you, 
sir.  Suppose  you  call  me  dam  nigger,  then  I  call  you  one 

dam  dirty   white-livered    son   of  a   b ;   dat  a  repartee, 

sir." 

"Capital,  Billy;  you  shall  be  a  bishop.  But,  Billy,  has 
your  master  got  any  rum  in  his  cabin  ?  " 

"Which  massa,  sir?     Massa  Courtenay  or  Massa  Doctor?" 

"  Oh !  Courtenay,  to  be  sure,  The  surgeon  never  has 
any." 

"Yes,  sar,  I  tink  he  have  a  little." 

"  Be  quick,  Billy,  and  fetch  it.  I  will  give  it  you  back  at 
the  tub  to-morrow." 

a  28 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Suppose  you  forget,  sar,  you  put  me  in  very  fine  predical- 
ament.  Massa  Courtenay  look  dam  blue— no,  he  not  look 
blue,  but  he  look  dam  yellow,"  replied  Billy,  showing  his 
white  teeth  as  he  grinned. 

"But  I  won't  forget,  Billy,  upon  my  honour." 

"Well,  honour  quite  enough  between  two  gentlemen,  I 
go  fetch  the  bottle." 

Billy  soon  reappeared  with  a  quart  bottle  of  rum,  just  as 
three  bells  were  struck.  "  By  gad  I  I  rattle  the  bottle  as  I 
take  him  out — wake  Mr.  Courtenay — he  say,  dam  black 
fellow  he  make  everything  adrift — cursed  annoying,  he  say, 
and  go  to  sleep  again." 

"Really,  gentlemen,  1  cannot  wait  any  longer,"  resumed 
the  master-at-arms ;  "  the  lights  must  be  reported,  or  I  shall 
be  in  disgrace." 

"  Very  true,  Byfield  ;  you  are  only  doing  your  duty.  Will 
you  take  a  glass  of  grog  ?  " 

"  If  you  please,"  replied  Mr.  Byfield,  taking  off  his  hat. 
"  Your  health,  gentlemen." 

"Thank  you,"  replied  the  midshipmen.  "Tank  you,  sir," 
replied  also  Billy  Pitt. 

"Well,  Billy,  what's  the  last  word  you  read  in  your 
dictionary  ?  " 

"  Last  word  ?  Let  me  see — oh  !  commission,  sar.  You 
know  dat  word  ?  " 

"  Commission  I  We  all  know  what  that  is,  Billy,  and  shall 
be  glad  to  get  it  too,  by-and-by." 

"  Yes,  sar ;  but  there  are  two  kind  of  commission.  One 
you  want,  obliged  to  wait  for ;  one  I  want,  always  have  at 
once — commission  as  agent,  sar." 

"Oh,  I  understand,"  replied  Bruce;  "five  per  cent,  on 
the  bottle,  eh?" 

"Five  per  cent  not  make  a  tiff  glass  of  grog,  Massa 
Bruce." 

"  Well  then,  Billy,  you  shall  have  ten  per  cent.,"  replied 
the  midshipman,  pouring  him  out  a  north-wester.  "Will 
that  do?" 

The  black  had  the  politeness  to  drink  the  health  of  all 
the  gentlemen  of  the  berth  separately  before  he  poured  the 
liquor  down  his  throat.  ft  Massa  Bruce,  I  tink  doctor  got  a 
little  rum  in  his  cabin." 

129  I 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"  Go  and  fetch  it,  Billy ;  you  shall  have  it  back  to-morrow." 

"  Honour,  Mr.  Bruce." 

"  Honour,  Mr.  Pitt." 

"Ten  per  cent.,  Massa  Bruce,"  continued  Billy,  grinning. 

"Ten  per  cent,  is  the  bargain." 
^  "  I  go  see." 

Another  quart  bottle  made  its  appearance  ;  and  the  agent, 
"having  received  his  commission,  made  his  bow,  and  returned 
to  his  hammock. 

"  I  do — really — think — upon — my — word — that  that — black 
— scoundrel — would — sell — his — own — mother — for — a — stiff 
— glass — of — grog,"  observed  a  youngster  of  the  name  of 
Prose,  a  cockney,  who  drawled  out  his  words,  which,  "  like 
a  wounded  snake,  dragged  their  slow  length  along." 

"The  lights,  gentlemen,  if  you  please,"  resumed  the 
master-at-arms,  putting  his  head  again  into  the  door. 

"Another  commission,"  said  Jerry;  "a  tax  upon. light. 
Billy  Pitt  has  the  best  right  to  it." 

A  second  glass  of  grog  was  poured  out,  and  the  bribe  dis- 
appeared down  Mr.  Byfield's  gullet. 

"Now  we'll  put  the  light  out,"  said  one  of  the  oldsters, 
covering  the  candlestick  with  a  hat. 

"  If  you  will  put  your  candle  into  my  lantern,"  observed 
the  obsequious  master-at-arms,  "  I  can  then  report  the  lights 
out.  Of  course  you  will  allow  it  to  remain  there  ?  " 

The  suggestion  was  adopted,  and  the  light  was  reported 
out  to  the  first  lieutenant  at  the  very  moment  that  it  was 
taken  out  of  the  lantern  again  and  replaced  in  the  candle- 
stick. The  duplicate  supply  began  to  have  its  effect  upon 
our  incipient  heroes,  who  commenced  talking  of  their  friends. 
Bruce,  a  fine,  manly,  honourable  Scotchman,  had  the  peculi- 
arity of  always  allying  himself  when  half  drunk  to  the  royal 
house  who  formerly  sat  upon  the  throne  of  England ;  but 
when  quite  intoxicated,  he  was  so  treasonable  as  to  declare 
himself  the  lawful  king  of  Great  Britain.  Glass  after  glass 
increased  his  propinquity  to  the  throne,  till  at  last  he  seated 
himself  on  it,  and  the  uproar  of  the  whole  party  rose  to  that 
height  that  the  first  lieutenant  sent  out  desiring  the  mid- 
shipmen immediately  to  retire  to  their  hammocks. 

"  Send  me  to  bed  !     '  Proud  man,  dressed  in  a  little  brief 
authority.'     If  the  Lord's  anointed  had  been  respected,  he, 
130 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

with  millions,  would  be  now  bending  the  knee  to  me.  Well, 
if  I  can't  be  king  of  all  England,  at  least  I'll  be  king  in  this 
berth.  Tell  me/'  cried  Bruce,  seizing  the  unfortunate  Prose 
by  the  collar,  "  am  I  not  king  ?  " 

"  Why — according — to — the — best — of — my — belief,"  said 
Prose,  "  I — should — rather — be — inclined — to — think — that 
— you — are — not — the — king." 

"  Am  not,  base  slave  ! "  cried  Bruce,  throwing  him  on  the 
deck,  and  putting  his  foot  on  his  chest. 

"No — if — I  die  for  it — I  don't  care — but  if  you  are— not 
king — I  must  own — that  —  you  —  are  one  of — my  thirty 
tyrants,"  drawled  out  Prose,  half  suffocated  with  the  pressure. 

"  I — do — declare,"  cried  Jerry,  imitating  Prose's  drawl, 
"  that — he — has — squeezed — a  pun — out — of — you." 

"  Am  not  I  king  ?  "  resumed  Bruce,  seizing  Jerry,  who  had 
advanced  within  reach  to  laugh  at  Prose. 

"I  feel  that  you  ought  to  be,"  replied  Jerry;  "and  I  don't 
doubt  your  lineal  descent,  for  you  have  all  the  dispositions 
of  the  race  from  which  you  claim  descent.  A  boon,  your 
gracious  majesty,"  continued  Jerry,  bending  on  one  knee. 

"  Thou  shalt  have  it,  my  loyal  subject,"  replied  Bruce,  who 
was  delighted  with  the  homage,  "  even  (as  Ahasuerus  said  to 
Esther)  to  the  half  of  my  kingdom." 

"  God  forbid  that  I  should  deprive  your  majesty  of  that," 
replied  Jerry,  smiling  at  the  idea  of  halving  nothing.  "  It 
is  only  to  request  that  I  may  not  keep  the  middle  watch 
to-night." 

"  Rise,  Jerry  ;  you  shall  not  keep  a  night-watch  for  a  fort- 
night." 

"  I  humbly  thank  your  most  gracious  majesty,"  replied  the 
astute  boy,  who  was  a  youngster  of  the  watch  of  which  Bruce 
was  mate. 

As  the  reader  may  be  amused  with  the  result  of  this 
promise,  he  must  know  that  Bruce,  who  did  not  recollect 
what  had  passed,  when  he  perceived  Jerry  not  to  be  on 
deck,  sent  down  for  him.  The  youngster  on  his  appearance 
claimed  his  promise  ;  and  his  claim  was  allowed  by  Bruce, 
rather  than  he  would  acknowledge  himself  to  have  been 
intoxicated.  Jerry,  upon  the  strength  of  the  agreement, 
continued  for  more  than  the  prescribed  time  to  sleep  in 
every  night-watch,  until,  aware  that  he  was  no  longer  safe, 
131 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

he  thought  of  an  expedient  which  would  probably  ensure  him 
one  night  longer,  and  prevent  a  disagreeable  interruption  of 
his  dreams.  Prose,  whose  hammock  was  hung  up  next  the 
hatchway,  had  a  bad  cold,  and  Jerry  thought  it  prudent  to 
shift  his  berth,  that  he  might  not  be  found. 

"  It's  the  draught  from  the  hatchway  that  makes  your  cold 
so  bad,  Prose ;  you'll  never  get  well  while  you  sleep  there. 
I  will  give  you  my  inside  berth  until  it  is  better ;  'tis  really 
quite  distressing  to  hear  you  cough." 

"  Well,  now,  Jerry,  that's  what  I  call  very  good-natured  of 
you.  I  have  not  had  such  a  friendly  act  done  towards  me 
since  I  joined  the  ship,  and  I  do  assure  you,  Jerry,  that  I 
shall  not  be  ungrateful ;  I  shall  not  forget  it." 

It  happened  that,  on  the  very  night  that  Prose  exchanged 
berths  with  Jerry,  Bruce  made  his  calculation  that  the  fort- 
night had  elapsed  three  days  back  ;  and  although  he  felt 
himself  bound  in  honour  to  keep  his  promise,  yet,  feeling 
rather  sore  at  being  overreached,  he  now  ordered  the  quarter- 
master to  cut  Jerry's  hammock  down  by  the  head.  This  was 
supposed  to  be  done,  and  poor  Prose,  who  had  just  fallen 
asleep  after  keeping  the  previous  watch,  awoke  with  a  stun- 
ning sensation,  and  found  his  feet  up  at  the  beams  and  his 
head  on  the  deck  ;  while  Jerry,  who  had  been  awakened  by 
the  noise,  was  obliged  to  cram  the  sheets  into  his  mouth  that 
his  laughter  might  be  unperceived. 

"  Well,  now,  I  do  declare,  this  is  too  bad ;  I  most  certainly 
will  complain  to  the  captain  to-morrow  morning,  as  sure  as 
my  name  is  Prose.  Sentry,  bring  me  a  light,  and  assist  me 
to  get  my  hammock  up  again  ;  I  will  not  put  up  with  this 
treatment,  I  do  declare  ; "  and  so  saying,  Prose  once  more 
resumed  his  position  in  his  precarious  dormitory. 

But  during  our  digression  the  berth  has  become  empty — 
some  walking,  and  others,  particularly  his  majesty,  reeling  to 
bed.  So  we  shall  close  this  chapter,  from  which  the  reader 
may  perceive  that,  even  in  the  best-regulated  ships,  there 
is  more  going  on  in  a  midshipmen's  berth  than  a  captain  is 
acquainted  with,  or  that  comes  between  heaven  and  his 
philosophy. 


132 


THE   KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  XXI 

With  leave,  Bassanio,  I  am  half  yourself,  and  I  must  freely  have  the 
half  of  anything  that  this  same  paper  brings  you. — SHAKSPEARE. 
rp 

J_  HE  castle  which  had  been  built  by  the  ancestors  of  Mr. 
Rainscourt,  and  which,  in  feudal  times,  had  been  one  of 
strength  and  importance,  was  about  two  miles  from  the  town 

of ,    in    the   county  of  Galway,    on    the    west  coast   of 

Ireland ;  and,  as  Mr.  Rainscourt  had  correctly  surmised  when 
he  returned  to  it,  no  officer  could  be  found  who  was  bold 
enough  to  venture  his  life  by  an  attempt  at  caption,  sur- 
rounded as  he  was  by  a  savage  and  devoted  peasantry,  who 
had  no  scruples  at  bloodshed.  Immured  within  its  walls, 
with  little  to  interest,  and  no  temptation  to  expend  money, 
Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt  lived  for  nearly  two  years,  indulging 
their  spleen  and  discontent  in  mutual  upbraidings,  their 
feelings  towards  each  other,  from  incessant  irritation,  being 
now  rather  those  of  hatred  than  any  other  term  that  could 
be  applied.  The  jewels  of  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  and  eveiy  other 
article  that  could  be  dispensed  with,  had  been  sold,  and  the 
purse  was  empty.  The  goodwill  of  the  tenants  of  the  mort- 
gaged property  had  for  some  time  supplied  the  ill-assorted 
couple  with  the  necessaries  of  life  ;  every  day  added  to  their 
wants,  to  their  hatred,  and  their  despair. 

They  were  seated  at  the  table,  having  finished  a  dinner  off 
some  game  which  Mr.  Rainscourt  had  procured  with  his  gun, 
and  which  had  been  their  fare,  with  little  variety,  ever  since 
the  shooting  season  had  commenced,  when  the  old  nurse,  the 
only  domestic  they  retained — probably  the  only  one  who 
would  remain  with  them  without  receiving  wages — made  her 
appearance.  "And  sure  there's  a  letter  for  the  master; 
Barney,  the  post-boy,  is  just  bringing  it." 

"  Well,  where  is  it  ?  "  replied  Rainscourt. 

"  He  says  that  it's  two  thirteens  that  must  be  paid  for  it, 
and  the  dirty  spalpeen  of  a  postmaster  told  him  not  to  give 
you  the  letter  without  the  money  for  it  in  his  fist." 

"  Tell  Barney  to  step  in  here.  Have  you  two  shillings,  Mrs. 
Rainscourt  ?  " 

133 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"Not  one,  Mr,  Rainscourt,"  replied  the  lady  gloomily. 

The  nurse  reappeared  with  Barney. 

"  Well,  Barney,  where's  the  letter  ? "  said  Mr.  Rainscourt 
"Let  me  look  at  it." 

"  Sure,  your  honour,  it's  not  me  that's  refusing  it  ye ;  but 
the  master  tould  me — '  Barney,'  says  he,  '  if  you  give  his 
honour  the  letter  without  the  two  thirteens  in  your  fist,  it's  a 
good  bating  that  I'll  give  ye  when  ye  come  back.'  " 

"  Well,  but,  Barney,  let  me  look  at  it,  and  see  by  the  post- 
mark where  it's  from.  I  shall  know  directly  whether  I  will 
take  it  up  or  not." 

"  And  suppose  that  your  honour  should  wish  to  open 
the  letter  ?  It's  not  for  gentlemen  like  ye  to  be  standing 
against  the  temptation ; — and  then,  the  two  thirteens,  your 
honour." 

"  Well,  Barney,  since  you  won't  trust  me,  and  I  have  no 
money,  you  must  take  the  letter  back.  It  might  bring  me 
good  news;  I  have  had  nothing  but  bad  of  late." 

"  And  sure  enough  it  might  bring  you  good  news.  Then 
your  honour  shall  take  the  letter,  and  I'll  take  the  bating ; " 
and  the  good-natured  lad  pulled  out  the  letter  from  his  pocket, 
and  gave  it  to  Rainscourt. 

Rainscourt,  who  first  wished  to  ascertain  whether  it  was 
one  of  his  usual  dunning  correspondents,  examined  the  post- 
mark and  handwriting  of  the  superscription,  that  he  might 
return  it  unopened,  and  save  poor  Barney  from  the  beating 
which  he  had  volunteered  to  receive  for  his  sake ;  but  the 
hand  was  unknown  to  him,  and  the  post-mark  was  so  faint 
and  illegible  that  he  could  not  decipher  it.  He  looked  into 
the  sides  of  the  letter,  and  the  few  words  which  he  could 
read  whetted  his  curiosity. 

"I'm  afraid,  Barney,  that  I  must  open  it." 

"  Good  luek  to  your  honour,  then,  and  may  it  prove  so." 

The  letter  was  opened,  and  the  contents  threw  a  gleam  of 
pleasure,  which  had  been  rarely  seen  of  late,  on  the  brow  of  the 
reader.  His  wife  had  watched  his  countenance.  "  Barney," 
cried  Rainscourt  with  delight,  "  call  to-morrow,  and  I'll  give 
you  a  guinea." 

"Sure  your  honour's  in  luck,  and  me  too,"  replied  Barney, 
grinning,  and  backing  out  of  the  room.  '-I'll  go  take  my 
bating  at  once." 

134 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

But,  to  explain  the  contents  of  this  letter,  we  must  narrate 
events  of  which  we  have  lost  sight  in  following  up  the  naval 
career  of  our  hero. 

About  three  weeks  after  the  death  of  Admiral  de  Courcy, 
the  line-of-battle  ship  in  which  old  Adams  had  sailed  with 
our  hero  under  his  protection  returned  into  port.  The  vicar, 
who  anxiously  awaited  her  arrival,  immediately  proceeded 
there,  that  he  might  claim  Willy  in  the  capacity  of  his 

guardian.  Having  obtained  the  address  of  Captain  M , 

he  called  upon  him,  and  opened  his  case  by  requesting 
that  the  boy  might  be  permitted  to  come  on  shore.  He 
was  proceeding  to  narrate  the  change  which  had  taken 
place  in  his  ward's  prospects,  when  he  was  interrupted  by 

Captain  M ,  who,  first  detailing  the  death  of  old  Adams 

and  the  conduct  of  Willy,  stated  that  he  had  sent  the  boy 
home  in  the  prize  for  an  outfit.  It  was  with  great  feeling 

that  Captain  M was  forced  to  add  the  apparent  certainty 

that  the  vessel,  which  had  never  been  heard  of,  had  foundered 
at  sea.  Shocked  at  the  intelligence,  which  was  communi- 
cated at  a  moment  when  his  heart  was  expanded  at  the 
idea  of  having  been  instrumental  in  repairing  the  injustice 
and  neglect  which  had  been  shown  towards  his  protege, 
the  vicar,  not  caring  to  mention  to  a  stranger  the  family 
particulars  upon  which  his  request  had  been  grounded, 
withdrew,  without  even  giving  his  name  or  address.  Three 
years  afterwards,  when,  as  we  have  narrated,  our  hero  again 

made  his  appearance,  Captain  M had  no  clue  to  guide 

him  by  which  he  might  communicate  the  intelligence  of 
his  recovery  to  one  whom  he  naturally  concluded  did  not 
make  such  inquiries  without  having  some  interest  in  our 
hero's  welfare. 

The  vicar  in  the  meantime,  although  he  had  every  reason 
to  believe  that  Willy  was  no  more,  resorted  to  every  means 
that  his  prudence  could  suggest  to  ascertain  the  positive  fact. 
For  many  months  the  most  strict  inquiries  were  set  afloat  by 
his  agents  whether  a  captured  vessel  had  been  wrecked  on 
the  French  coast.  The  prisoners  at  Verdun  and  other  depots 
were  examined  ;  rewards  were  offered  by  emissaries  in  France 
for  the  discovery  of  the  boy,  but  without  success.  Having 
waited  two  years,  all  hope  became  extinct,  and  the  letter  now 
received  by  Mr.  Rainscourt  was  from  the  vicar,  acquainting 
135 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

him  with  the  circumstances,  and  surrendering  up  the  property 
to  him  as  next-of-kin. 

"  Pray,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  may  I  ask  the  contents  of  a  letter 
the  perusal  of  which  not  only  makes  you  so  generous,  but  im- 
plies that  you  expect  to  have  the  means  of  being  so  ?  " 

When  happy  ourselves,  especially  when  unexpectedly  so, 
we  feel  kindly  disposed  towards  others.  For  a  moment  Rains- 
court  seemed  to  have  forgotten  all  his  differences  with  his 
wife ;  and  he  as  readily  imparted  to  her  his  good  fortune  as 
he  had,  on  a  previous  occasion,  his  disappointment. 

"My  dear  Clara,  the  grandchild  is  dead,  and  we  have 
possession  of  the  property." 

"  My  dear  Clara  ! "  Such  an  epithet  had  never  been  used 
since  the  first  week  of  their  marriage.  Overcome  by  the 
joyful  intelligence,  but  more  overcome  by  the  kind  expres- 
sion of  her  husband,  which  recalled  the  days  when  she  fondly 
loved,  Mrs.  Rainscourt  burst  into  tears,  and  throwing  herself 
down  with  her  face  on  his  knees,  poured  out,  in  sobs,  her 
gratitude  to  Heaven  and  her  revived  affection  for  her 
husband. 

Their  daughter  Emily,  now  ten  years  old,  astonished  at  so 
unusual  a  scene,  ran  up,  impelled  as  it  were  by  instinct,  and 
completed  the  family  group  by  clinging  to  her  father.  Rains- 
court,  who  was  affected,  kissed  the  brow  of  the  child,  and 
congratulated  her  on  becoming  an  heiress. 

"  I  never  knew  before  that  money  would  do  so  much  good," 
observed  the  child,  referring  to  the  apparent  reconciliation  of 
her  parents. 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  rose  from  her  position  and  sat  down  at  the 
table,  leaning  her  face  upon  her  hands.  "  I  am  afraid  that  it 
has  come  too  late,"  said  she  mournfully,  as  she  recalled  the 
years  of  indifference  and  hostility  which  had  preceded. 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  was  correct  in  her  supposition.  Respect 
and  esteem  had  long  departed,  and  without  their  aid  truant 
love  was  not  to  be  reclaimed.  The  feeling  of  renewed  attach- 
ment was  as  transient  as  it  was  sudden. 

"I  must  be  off  to  England  immediately,"  observed  the 
husband.  "I  presume  that  I  shall  have  no  difficulty  in 
obtaining  money  from  the  bank  when  I  show  this  letter. 

Old will  be  ready  enough  to  thrust  his  notes  into  my 

hands  now." 

136 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Shall  we  not  go  with  you,  Mr.  Rainscourt  ?  " 

"No;  you  had  better  remain  here  till  I  have  arranged 
matters  a  little.  I  must  settle  with  three  cursed  money- 
lenders, and  take  up  the  bonds  from  J .  Little  scoundrel ! 

he'll  be  civil  enough." 

"Well,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  it  must,  I  suppose,  be  as  you  de- 
cide ;  but  neither  Emily  nor  I  are  very  well  equipped  in  our 
wardrobes,  and  you  will  not  be  exactly  competent  to  execute 
our  commissions." 

"  And  therefore  shall  execute  none." 

"  Do  you,  then,  mean  to  leave  us  here  in  rags  and  beggary 
while  you  are  amusing  yourself  in  London  ? "  replied  Mrs. 
Rainscourt  with  asperity.  "  With  your  altered  circumstances, 
you  will  have  no  want  of  society,  either  male  or  female,"  con- 
tinued the  lady,  with  an  emphasis  upon  the  last  word,  "  and 
a  wife  will  probably  be  an  encumbrance." 

"  Certainly  not  such  a .  kind  and  affectionate  one  as  you 
have  proved,  my  dear,"  replied  the  gentleman  sarcastically  ; 
"  nevertheless,  I  must  decline  the  pleasure  of  your  company 
till  I  have  time  to  look  about  me  a  little." 

"Perhaps,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  now  that  you  will  be  able  to 
afford  it,  you  will  prefer  a  separate  establishment  ?  If  so,  I 
am  willing  to  accede  to  any  proposition  you  may  be  inclined 
to  make." 

"That's  a  very  sensible  remark  of  yours,  my  dear,  and 
shall  receive  due  consideration." 

"  The  sooner  the  better,  sir,"  replied  the  piqued  lady,  as 
Mr.  Rainscourt  quitted  the  room. 

"  My  dear  child,"  said  Mrs.  Rainscourt  to  her  daughter, 
"you  see  how  cruelly  your  father  treats  me.  He  is  a  bad 
man,  and  you  must  never  pay  attention  to  what  he  says." 

"  Papa  told  me  just  the  same  of  you,  mamma,"  replied  the 
girl,  "yesterday  morning  when  you  were  walking  in  the 
garden." 

"  Did  he  ?  The  wretch,  to  set  my  own  child  against  me  !  " 
cried  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  who  had  just  been  guilty  of  the 
very  same  offence  which  had  raised  her  choler  against  her 
husband. 


IS? 


THE  KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  XXII 

The  Queen  of  night,  whose  vast  command 
Rules  all  the  sea  and  half  the  land ; 
And  over  moist  and  crazy  brains, 
In  high  spring-tides  at  midnight  reigns. 

Hudibras. 

AMONG  the  millions  who,,  on  the  hallowed  and  appointed 
day,  lay  aside  their  worldly  occupations  to  bow  the  knee  to 
the  Giver  of  all  good,  directing  their  orisons  and  their 
thoughts  to  one  mercy-beaming  Power,  like  so  many  rays  of 
light  concentrated  into  one  focus,  I  know  no  class  of  people 
in  whose  breasts  the  feeling  of  religion  is  more  deeply  im- 
planted than  the  occupants  of  that  glorious  specimen  of 
daring  ingenuity — a  man-of-war.  It  is  through  His  works 
that  the  Almighty  is  most  sincerely  reverenced,  through 
them  that  His  infinite  power  is  with  deepest  humility 
acknowledged.  The  most  forcible  arguments,  the  most 
pathetic  eloquence  from  the  pulpit,  will  not  affect  so 
powerfully  the  mind  of  man  as  the  investigation  of  a  blade 
of  grass,  or  the  mechanism  of  the  almost  imperceptible  insect. 
If,  then,  such  is  the  effect  upon  mankind  in  general,  how 
strong  must  be  the  impressions  of  those  who  occupy  their 
business  in  the  great  waters !  These  men  "  see  the  works 
of  the  Lord,  and  His  wonders  in  the  deep."  They  behold 
Him  in  all  His  magnificence,  in  all  His  beauty,  in  all  His 
wrath,  in  all  His  vastness,  in  all  His  variety.  Unassisted  by 
theory,  they  practically  feel  that  God  is  great,  and  their 
worship,  although  dumb,  is  sincere 

I  am  aware  that  it  is  the  idea  of  many  that  sailors  have 
little  or  no  religion,  and  their  dissolute  conduct  when 
thrown  on  shore  is  certainly  a  strong  argument  in  support 
of  this  opinion ;  but  they  must  not  be  so  partially  judged. 
Those  who  are  constantly  mixed  with  the  world,  and  ex- 
posed to  its  allurements,  are  subject  to  a  continual  struggle 
against  their  passions,  which  they  are  more  enabled  to 
restrain,  as  temptation  so  rapidly  succeeds  temptation  that 
one  destroys  the  other — effacing  it  from  their  recollection 
138 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

before  they  have  had  time  to  mature  their  embryo  guilt. 
But  in  our  floating  monasteries,  where  rigid  discipline  and 
active  duties  allow  only  the  thoughts  to  ramble  to  that 
society  which  never  has  been  intended  to  be  abandoned; 
the  passions  are  naturally  impelled  towards  that  world 
whose  temptations  are  so  much  increased  by  long  and 
unnatural  seclusion. 

In  the  mountain  lake,  whose  waters  are  daily  increasing, 
all  is  unruffled  till  their  own  weight  has  forced  its  boundaries, 
and  the  roaring  cataract  sweeps  everything  before  it.  Such 
is  the  licentious  and  impetuous  behaviour  of  the  sailor  on 
shore.  But  on  board  he  is  a  different  being,  and  appears 
as  if  he  were  without  sin  and  without  guile.  Let  those, 
then,  who  turn  away  at  his  occasional  intemperance  be 
careful  how  they  judge.  They  may  "thank  God  that  they 
are  not  as  that  publican,"  and  yet  be  less  justified  when 
weighed  in  that  balance  where,  although  Justice  eyes  the 
beam,  Mercy  is  permitted  to  stand  by,  and  throw  into 
the  scale  her  thousand  little  grains  to  counterpoise  the 
mass  of  guilt. 

Religion  in  a  sailor  (I  mean  by  the  term  a  common  sea- 
man) is  more  of  an  active  than  a  passive  feeling.  It  does 
not  consist  in  reflection  or  self-examination.  It  is  in  ex- 
ternals that  his  respect  to  the  Deity  is  manifest,  Witness 
the  Sunday  on  board  of  a  man-of-war ;  the  care  with  which 
the  decks  are  washed,  the  hauling  taut  and  neat  coiling 
down  of  the  ropes,  the  studied  cleanliness  of  person,  most 
of  which  duties  are  performed  on  other  days,  but  on  this 
day  are  executed  with  an  extra  precision  and  attention  on 
the  part  of  the  seamen,  because  it  is  Sunday.  Then  the 
quiet  decorum  voluntarily  observed ;  the  attention  to  Divine 
service,  which  would  be  a  pattern  to  a  congregation  on 
shore ;  the  little  knots  of  men  collected,  in  the  afternoon, 
between  the  guns,  listening  to  one  who  reads  some  serious 
book ;  or  the  solitary  quartermaster  poring  over  his 
thumbed  Testament  as  he  communes  with  himself — all 
prove  that  sailors  have  a  deep-rooted  feeling  of  religion, 
I  once  knew  a  first  lieutenant  receive  a  severe  rebuke 
from  a  ship's  company.  This  officer,  observing  the  men 
scattered  listlessly  about  the  forecastle  and  waist  of  the 
frigate  on  a  fine  Sunday  evening,  ordered  the  fiddler  up 
139 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

that  they  might  dance.  The  ship's  company  thanked  him 
for  his  kindness,  but  stated  that  they  had  not  been  accus- 
tomed to  dance  on  that  day,  and  requested  that  the  music 
might  be  sent  below. 

The  Sunday  on  board  a  man-of-war  has  another  ad- 
vantage over  the  Sabbath  on  shore  :  it  is  hallowed 
throughout.  It  commences  with  respect  and  reverence, 
and  it  ends  with  the  same.  There  is  no  alehouse  to  resort 
to,  where  the  men  may  become  intoxicated ;  no  allurements 
of  the  senses  to  disturb  the  calm  repose  of  the  mind,  the 
practical  veneration  of  the  day,  which  bestows  upon  it  a 
moral  beauty. 

It  was  on  the  evening  of  such  a  day  of  serenity,  after  the 
hammocks  had  been  piped  down  and  the  watch  mustered, 

that  Captain  M was  standing  on  the  gangway  of  the 

Aspasia  in  conversation  with  Macallan,  the  surgeon.  It  was 
almost  a  calm ;  the  sails  were  not  asleep  Avith  the  light  airs 
that  occasionally  distended  them,  but  flapped  against  the 
lofty  masts  with  the  motion  communicated  to  the  vessel  by 
the  undulating  wave.  The  moon,  nearly  at  her  full,  was  high 
in  the  heavens,  steering  for  the  zenith  in  all  her  beauty, 
without  one  envious  cloud  to  obscure  the  refulgence  of  her 
beams,  which  were  reflected  upon  the  water  in  broad  and 
wavering  lines  of  silver.  The  blue  wave  was  of  a  deeper 
blue — so  clear  and  so  transparent,  that  you  fancied  you  could 
pierce  through  a  fathomless  perspective,  and  so  refreshing,  so 
void  of  all  impurity,  that  it  invited  you  to  glide  into  its 
bosom. 

"  How  clear  the  moon  shines  to-night ;  to-morrow,  I  think, 
will  be  full  moon." 

"  It  would  be  well,"  observed  the  surgeon  in  reply  to  the 
remark  of  the  captain,  "  to  request  the  officer  of  the  watch 
not  to  permit  the  men  to  sleep  on  the  upper  deck.  We  shall 
have  many  of  them  moon-blind." 

"  I  have  often  heard  that  effect  of  the  moon  in  the  tropics 
mentioned,  but  have  never  seen  it.  In  what  manner  does  it 
affect  the  eyes  ?  " 

"  The  moon  can  act  but  in  one  way,  sir,"  replied  Macallan 

— "  by  attraction.     The  men  who  are  affected  see  perfectly 

well  in  broad  daylight,  but  as  soon  as  it  is  dusk  their  powers 

of  vision  are  gone  altogether.     At  the  usual  time  at  which 

140 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

the  hammocks  are  piped  down  they  will  not  be  able  to  dis- 
tinguish the  numbers.  I  have  had  sixty  men  in  one  ship  in 
the  situation  I  have  described." 

"We  ridicule  the  opinion  of  the  ancients  relative  to  the 
powers  of  this  planet,"  observed  the  captain  ;  "  but  at  the 
same  time  I  have  often  heard  more  ascribed  to  her  influence 
than  the  world  in  general  are  inclined  to  credit.  That  she 
regulates  the  tides  is,  I  believe,  the  only  point  upon  which 
there  is  now  no  scepticism." 

"  There  has  been  scepticism  even  upon  that,  sir.  Did  you 
ever  read  a  work  entitled  '  Theory  of  the  Tides '  ?  I  can, 
however,  state  some  other  points,  from  observation,  in  which 
the  moon  has  power." 

"  Over  lunatics,  I  presume  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly ;  and  why  not,  therefore,  over  those  who 
are  rational  ?  We  observe  the  effect  more  clearly  in  the 
lunatic,  because  his  mind  is  in  a  state  of  feverish  excitement ; 
but  if  the  moon  can  act  upon  the  diseased  brain,  it  must  also 
have  power,  although  less  perceptible,  over  the  mind  which 
is  in  health.  I  believe  that  there  is  an  ebb  and  flow  of  power 
in  our  internal  mechanism  corresponding  to  the  phases  of 
the  moon  ;  I  mean,  that  the  blood  flows  more  rapidly,  and 
the  powers  of  nature  are  more  stimulated,  at  the  flood  and 
full  than  at  the  ebb  and  neap,  when  a  reaction  takes  place 
in  proportion  to  the  previous  acceleration.  Dr.  Mead  has 
observed  that,  of  those  who  are  at  the  point  of  death,  nine 
out  of  ten  quit  this  world  at  the  ebb  of  the  tide.  Does  not 
this  observation  suggest  the  idea  that  Nature  has  relaxed 
her  efforts  during  that  period,  after  having  been  stimulated 
during  the  flood  ?  Shakspeare,  who  was  a  true  observer  of 
Nature,  has  not  omitted  this  circumstance  ;  speaking  of  the 
death  of  Falstaff,  Mrs.  Quickly  observes,  '  It  was  just  at  the 
turn  of  the  tide.'  " 

"  Well,  but,  Mr.  Macallan,  laying  aside  hypothesis,  what 
have  you  ascertained,  from  actual  observation,  besides  that 
which  we  term  moon-blindness?" 

"  The  effect  of  the  moon  upon  fish  and  other  animal 
matter  hung  up  in  its  rays  at  night.  If  under  the  half- 
deck,  they  would  remain  perfectly  sweet  and  eatable ;  but 
if  exposed  to  the  moon's  rays  in  the  tropics,  they  will,  in 
the  course  of  one  night,  become  putrid  and  unwholesome. 
141 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

They  emit  no  smell,  but  when  eaten  will  produce  diarrhoea, 
almost  as  violent  as  if  you  had  taken  poison." 

"I  have  heard  that  stated  also  by  seamen/'  said  the 
captain,  "but  have  never  witnessed  it." 

"  A  remarkable  and  corroborative  instance  occurred  when 
I  was  in  the  bay  of  Annapolis/'  resumed  the  surgeon.  "  I 
was  becalmed  in  a  small  vessel,  and  amused  myself  with 
fishing.  I  pulled  up  several  herrings,  but  to  my  astonish- 
ment they  were  putrid  and  sodden  an  hour  or  two  after 
they  were  dead.  I  observed  the  circumstance  to  one  of  the 
fishermen,  who  informed  me  that  several  hundred  barrels, 
taken  at  a  fishery  a  few  miles  off,  had  all  been  spoiled  in 
the  same  manner.  I  asked  the  reason,  and  the  answer  was, 
that  '  they  had  been  spawned  at  the  full  of  the  moon.' 
How  far  the  man  was  correct  I  know  not;  but  he  stated 
that  the  circumstance  had  occurred  before,  and  was  well 
known  to  the  older  fishermen." 

"Very  singular,"  replied  Captain  M .  "We  are  too 

apt  to  reject  the  whole  because  we  have  found  a  part 
to  be  erroneous.  That  the  moon  is  not  the  Hecate  for- 
merly supposed,  I  believe ;  but  she  seems  to  have  more 
power  than  is  usually  ascribed  to  her.  Is  that  seven  bells 
striking  ?  " 

"  It  is,  sir ;  the  time  has  slipped  rapidly  away.  I  shall 
wish  you  good-night." 

"Good-night,"  replied  Captain  M ,  who  for  some  time 

after  the  departure  of  the  surgeon  continued  leaning  over 
the  rail  of  the  entering-port  in  silent  contemplation  of  the 
glassy  wave,  until  the  working  of  his  mind  was  expi'essed 
in  the  following  apostrophe  : — 

"Yes — placid  and  beautiful  as  thou  art,  there  is  foul 
treachery  in  thy  smile.  Who  knows  but  that  one  day  thou 
mayest  in  thy  fury  demand  as  a  victim  the  form  which  thou 
so  peaceably  reflectest  ?  Ever-craving  epicure  !  thou  must 
be  fed  with  the  healthy  and  the  brave.  The  gluttonous 
earth  preys  indiscriminately  upon  the  diseased  carcasses  of 
age,  infancy,  and  manhood  ;  but  thou  must  be  more  daintily 
supplied.  Health  and  vigour ;  prime  of  life  and  joyous 
heart ;  high-beating  pulse  and  energy  of  soul ;  active  bodies 
and  more  active  minds — such  is  the  food  in  which  thou 
delightest;  and  with  such  dainty  fare  wilt  thou  ever  be 
142 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

supplied,  until  the  Power  that  created  thee,  with  the  other 
elements,  shall  order  thee  to  pass  away." 

The   bell    struck    eight,  and    its  sharp  peals,  followed   by 
the   hoarse    summoning    of   the    watch    below   by  the   boat- 
swain's   mates,   disturbed    his   reverie,    and    Captain    M — 
descended  to  his  cabin. 

And  now,  readei',  I  shall  finish  this  chapter.  You  may 
perhaps  imagine  that  I  have  the  scene  before  me,  and  am 
describing  from  Nature  ;  if  so,  you  are  in  error.  I  am  seated 
in  the  after-cabin  of  a  vessel,  endowed  with  as  liberal  a 
share  of  motion  as  any  in  his  Majesty's  service  ;  whilst  I 
write  I  am  holding  on  by  the  table,  my  legs  entwined  in 
the  lashings  underneath,  and  I  can  barely  manage  to  keep 
my  position  before  my  manuscript.  The  sea  is  high,  the 
gale  fresh,  the  sky  dirty,  and  threatening  a  continuance  of 
what  our  transatlantic  descendants  would  term  a  pretty- 
considerable-tarnation-strong  blast  of  wind.  The  top-gallant- 
yards  are  on  deck,  the  masts  are  struck,  the  guns  double- 
breeched,  and  the  bulwarks  creaking  and  grinding  in  most 
detestable  regularity  of  dissonance  as  the  vessel  scuds  and 
lurches  through  a  cross  and  heavy  sea.  The  mainTdeck  is 
afloat ;  and  from  the  careless  fitting  of  the  half-ports  at  the 
dockyard,  and  neglect  of  caulking  in  the  cants,  my  fore-cabin 
is  in  the  same  predicament.  A  bubbling  brook  changing  its 
course,  ebbing  and  flowing  as  it  were  with  the  rolling  of  the 
ship,  is  dashing  with  mimic  fury  against  the  trunks  secured 
on  each  side  of  the  cabin. 

I  have  j  ust  been  summoned  from  my  task  in  consequence 
of  one  of  the  battens  which  secured  my  little  library  having 
given  way  to  the  immoderate  weight  of  learning  that  pressed 
upon  it;  and  as  my  books  have  been  washed  to  and  fro,  I 
have  snatched  them  from  their  first  attempts  at  natation. 
Smith's  "  Wealth  of  Nations  "  I  picked  up  'first,  not  worth  a 
fig  >  "  Don  Juan "  I  have  just  rescued  from  a  second  ship- 
wreck, with  no  other  Hey-day  (Haidee)  to  console  him  than 
the  melancholy  one  extracted  from  me  with  a  deep  sigh  as 
J  received  his  shattered  frame.  Here's  Burton's  "Anatomy 
of  Melancholy,"  in  a  very  melancholy  plight  indeed  ;  and 
(what  a  fashionable  watering-place  my  cabin  has  turned  to  !) 
here's  Burke's  "  Peerage,"  with  all  the  royal  family  and 
aristocracy  of  the  kingdom,  taking  a  dip,  and  a  captain  of  a 
143 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

man-of-war,  like  another  Sally  Gunn,  pulling  them  out.     So 
you  perceive  my  description  has  been  all  moonshine — 

"  My  wishes  have  been  fathers  to  my  thoughts." 

My  bones  are  sore  with  rocking.  Horace  says  that  he 
had  a  soul  of  brass  who  first  ventured  to  sea;  I  think  a 
body  of  iron  very  necessary  to  the  outfit.  My  cot  is  swing- 
ing and  jerking  up  to  the  beams,  as  if  the  lively  scoundrel 
was  some  metamorphosed  imp  mocking  at  me.  "Sarve  you 
right — what  did  you  'list  for  ?  " — Very  true — why  did  I  ? — - 
Well,  anxious  as  I  am  to  close  this  chapter,  and  to  close 
my  eyes,  I  will  tell  you,  reader,  what  it  was  that  induced 
me  to  go  to  sea.  It  was  not  to  escape  the  drudgery  and 
confinement  of  a  school,  or  the  admonitions  received  at 
home.  The  battle  of  Trafalgar  had  been  fought — 1  recollect 
the  news  being  brought  down  by  the  dancing-master  when 
I  was  at  school ;  but  although  I  knew  that  eighteen  or 
twenty  sail  of  the  line  had  been  captured,  yet,  never  having 
seen  a  vessel  larger  than  a  merchant-ship  at  London  Bridge, 
I  had  very  imperfect  ideas  on  the  subject — except  that  it 
must  have  been  a  very  glorious  affair,  as  we  had  a  whole 
holiday  in  consequence.  But  when  I  returned  home,  I 
witnessed  the  funeral  procession  of  Lord  Nelson;  and  as 
the  triumphal  car  upon  which  his  earthly  remains  were 
borne  disappeared  from  my  aching  eye,  I  felt  that  death 
could  have  no  terrors  if  followed  by  such  a  funeral;  and 
I  determined  that  I  would  be  buried  in  the  same  manner. 
This  is  the  fact;  but  I  am  not  now  exactly  of  the  same 
opinion.  I  had  no  idea  at  that  time  that  it  was  such  a 
terrible  roundabout  way  to  St.  Paul's.  Here  I  have  been 
tossed  about  in  every  quarter  of  the  globe  for  between 
twenty  and  five-and-twenty  years,  and  the  dome  is  almost 
as  distant  as  ever. 

1  mean  to  put  up  with  the  family  vault;  but  I  should 
like  very  much  to  have  engraved  on  my  coffin — "  Many  years 
Commissioner,"  or  "Lord  of  the  Admiralty,"  or  "Governor 
of  Greenwich  Hospital,"  "  Ambassador,"  "  Privy  Councillor," 
or,  in  fact,  anything  but  Captain  ;  for  though  acknowledged 
to  be  a  good  travelling  name,  it  is  a  very  insignificant  title 
at  the  end  of  our  journey.  Moreover,  as  the  author  of 
'-'  Pelham  "  says,  "  I  wish  somebody  would  adopt  me." 
144 


THE  KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  XXIII 

When  his  pockets  were  lined,  why,  his  life  should  be  mended, 
The  laws  he  had  broken  he'd  never  break  more. 

Sea  Song, 

v/N  his  return  to  London,  M'Elvina  immediately  repaired 
to  the  residence  of  his  patron,  that  he  might  enter  into 
the  necessary  explanations  relative  to  the  capture  of  the 
vessel  and  the  circumstances  which  had  produced  his  release 
from  the  penalties  and  imprisonment  to  which  he  had  been 
subjected  by  his  lawless  career.  Previous,  however,  to 
narrating  the  events  which  occurred  upon  his  arrival,  it  will 
be  advisable  to  offer  some  remarks  relative  to  M'Elvina,  which, 
when  they  have  been  suggested  to  the  reader,  will  serve  to 
remove  much  of  the  apparent  inconsistency  of  his  character. 
That  a  person  who,  from  his  earliest  childhood,  had  been 
brought  up  to  fraud  and  deceit  should,  of  his  own  accord, 
and  so  suddenly,  return  to  honesty,  may  at  first  appear 
problematical.  But  let  it  be  remembered  that  M'Elvina 
was  not  in  the  situation  of  those  who,  having  their  choice 
of  good  and  evil,  had  preferred  the  latter.  From  infancy 
he  had  been  brought  up  to,  and  had  heard  every  encomium 
upon,  dishonesty,  without  having  one  friend  to  point  out 
to  him  the  advantages  of  pursuing  another  course.  The 
same  spirit  of  emulation  which  would  have  made  him 
strenuous  in  the  right  path,  urged  him  forward  in  his 
career  of  error.  If,  after  his  discharge  from  the  Philan- 
thropic School,  he  had  had  time  to  observe  the  advantages 
in  practice  of  those  maxims  which  had  only  been  inculcated 
in  theory,  it  is  not  improbable  that  he  might  have  reformed  ; 
this,  however,  was  prevented  by  the  injudicious  conduct 
of  his  master. 

But  although  the  principles  which  had  been  instilled  were 
not  sufficiently  powerful,  unassisted  by  reflection,  to  resist 
the  force  of  habit,  the  germ,  smothered  as  it  was  for  the 
time,  was  not  destroyed ;  and  after  M'Elvina's  seven  years' 
servitude  in  a  profession  remarkable  for  candour  and  sincerity, 
and  in  which  he  had  neither  temptation  nor  opportunity  to 
145  K 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

return  to  his  evil  courses,  habit  had  been  counteracted  by 
habit.  The  tares  and  wheat  were  of  equal  growth.  '  his 
is  substantiated  by  the  single  fact  of  his  inclination  to  be 
honest  when  he  found  the  pocket-book.  A  confirmed  rogue 
would  never  have  thought  of  returning  it,  even  if  it  had  not 
been  worth  five  shillings.  It  is  true,  if  it  had  contained 
hundreds,  in  his  distressed  circumstances,  that  the  tempta- 
tion might  have  been  too  strong ;  but  this  remark  by  110 
means  disproves  the  assertion,  that  he  had  the  inclination 
to  be  honest.  "  There  is  a  tide  in  the  affairs  of  men,"  and 
it  was  on  this  decision  between  retaining  or  returning  the 
pocket-book  that  depended  the  future  misery  or  welfare  of 
M'Elvina.  Fortunately  the  sum  was  not  sufficient  to  turn 
the  nicely-balanced  scale,  and  the  generosity  of  old  Horn- 
blow  confirmed  the  victory  on  the  side  of  vii'tue.  I  do  not 
mean  to  assert  that,  for  some  time  subsequent  to  this  trans- 
action, M'Elvina  was  influenced  by  a  religious,  or  even  a 
moral  feeling.  It  was  rather  by  interested  motives  that  he 
was  convinced ;  but  convinced  he  was ;  and  whether  he 
was  proud  of  his  return  to  comparative  virtue,  or  found  it 
necessary  to  refresh  his  memory,  his  constant  injunctions  to 
others  to  be  honest  (upon  the  same  principle  that  a  man  who 
tells  a  story  repeatedly  eventually  believes  it  to  be  true) 
assisted  to  keep  him  steadfast  in  his  good  resolutions. 

Upon  the  other  points  of  his  character  it  will  be  un- 
necessary to  dilate.  For  his  gentlemanly  appearance  and 
address  he  was  indebted  to  Nature,  who  does  not  always 
choose  to  acknowledge  the  claims  which  aristocracy  thinks 
proper  to  assert,  and  occasionally  mocks  the  idea  by  bestow- 
ing graces  on  a  cottager  which  might  be  envied  by  the 
inhabitants  of  a  palace.  Of  M'Elvina  it  may  with  justice  be 
asserted  that  his  faults  were  those  of  education — his  courage, 
generosity,  and  many  good  qualities  were  his  own. 

M'Elvina,  who  knew  exactly  at  what  hour  of  the  day  his 
patron  would  be  abroad,  took  the  precaution  of  not  going 
to  the  house  until  the  time  at  which  he  would  be  certain  to 
find  Susan,  as  usual,  in  the  little  parlour,  alone,  and  occupied 
with  her  needle  or  her  book.  The  street-door  had  just  been 
opened  by  the  maid  to  receive  some  articles  of  domestic  use 
which  a  tradesman  had  sent  home ;  and  M'Elvina,  putting 
his  finger  to  his  lips  to  ensure  the  silence  of  the  girl,  who 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

would  have  run  to  communicate  the  welcome  intelligence 
of  his  arrival,  stepped  past  her  into  the  passage,  and  found 
the  door  of  the  little  parlour.  Gently  admitting  himself, 
he  discovered  Susan,  whom  he  had  not  disturbed,  sitting 
opposite  to  the  window  with  her  back  towards  him.  He 
crept  in  softly  behind  her  chair.  She  was  in  deep  thought ; 
one  hand  rested  on  her  cheek,  and  the  other  held  the  pen 
with  which  she  had  been  arranging  the  accounts  of  the 
former  week,  to  submit  them,  as  usual,  to  her  father  on  the 
Monday  evening.  Of  whom  and  what  she  was  thinking  was, 
however,  soon  manifested  to  M'Elvina  ;  for  she  commenced 
scribbling  and  drawing  with  her  pen  on  the  blotting-paper 
before  her,  until  she  at  last  wrote  several  times,  as  if  she 
were  practising  to  see  how  it  would  look  as  a  signature, 

"  SUSAN  M'ELVINA." 
"  SUSAN  M'ELVINA." 
"  SUSAN  M'ELVINA." 

Although  delighted  at  this  proof  that  he  was  occupying 
her  thoughts,  M'Elvina  had  the  delicacy  to  retire  unper- 
ceived,  and  Susan,  as  if  recollecting  herself,  slightly  coloured 
as  she  twisted  up  the  paper  and  threw  it  under  the  grate ; 
in  doing  which  she  perceived  M'Elvina,  who  still  remained 
at  the  door.  A  cry  of  surprise,  a  deep  blush  of  pleasure 
over  her  pale  face,  and  a  hand  frankly  extended,  which 
M'Elvina  could  with  difficulty  resist  the  impulse  to  raise  to 
his  lips,  were  followed  up  by  the  hasty  interrogation  of — 
"  Why,  your  arm  is  in  a  sling  ?  You  did  not  say  that  you 
were  hurt  when  you  wrote  from  Plymouth  ?  " 

"  It  was  not  worth  mentioning,  Susan — it's  almost  well ; 
but  tell  me,  how  did  your  father  bear  the  loss  of  the  vessel  ?" 

"  Oh,  pretty  well !  But,  Captain  M'Elvina,  you  could 
not  have  done  me  a  greater  favour,  or  my  father  a  greater 
kindness.  He  has  now  wound  up  his  affairs,  and  intends  to 
retire  from  all  speculation.  He  has  purchased  a  house  in 
the  country,  and  I  hope,  when  we  go  there,  that  I  shall  be 
more  happy,  and  have  better  health  than  I  have  had  of  late." 

"  And  what  is  to  become  of  me  ? "  observed  M'Elvina 
gravely. 

"  Oh,  I  don't  know  ;  you  are  the  best  judge  of  that." 
147 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

"  Well,  then,  I  will  confess  to  you,  Susan,  that  I  am  just  as 
well  pleased  that  all  this  has  taken  place  as  you  are  ;  for  I 
am  not  sorry  to  give  up  a  profession  respecting  which,  be- 
tween ourselves,  I  have  lately  had  many  scruples  of  con- 
science. I  have  not  saved  much,  it  is  true  ;  but  I  have 
enough  to  live  upon,  as  long  as  I  have  no  one  to  take  care  of 
except  myself." 

"  You  raise  yourself  in  my  opinion  by  saying  so,"  replied 
Susan  ;  "  although  it  is  painful  to  me  to  condemn  a  practice 
which  impeaches  my  father.  Your  courage  and  talents  may 
be  better  applied.  Thank  God  that  it  is  all  over." 

"  But,  Susan,  you  said  that  you  hoped  to  have  better  health. 
Have  you  not  been  well  ?  " 

"  Not  very  ill,"  replied  Susan,  "  but  I  have  had  a  good 
deal  of  anxiety.  The  loss  of  the  vessel — your  capture — has 
affected  my  father,  and  of  course  has  worried  me." 

The  discourse  was  now  interrupted  by  old  Homblow,  who 
had  returned  home  to  his  dinner.  He  received  M'Elvina  in 
the  most  friendly  manner,  and  they  sat  down  to  table. 

After  dinner,  M'Elvina  entered  into  a  minute  detail  of  all 
that  had  occurred,  and,  as  far  as  he  was  concerned,  with  a 
modesty  which  enhanced  his  meritorious  conduct. 

Susan  listened  to  the  narrative  with  intense  interest ;  and 
as  soon  as  it  was  over  retired  to  her  room,  leaving  old  Horn- 
blow  and  M'Elvina  over  their  bottle. 

"  Well,  M'Elvina,  what  do  you  mean  to  do  with  yourself?  " 
said  the  old  man.  "  You  know  that  Susan  has  at  last  per- 
suaded me  into  retiring  from  business.  I  have  just  concluded 
the  purchase  of  a  little  property  near  the  seaside,  about  seven 

miles  from  the  village    of ,  in  Norfolk — it  adjoins   the 

great  Rainscourt  estate.     You  know  that  part  of  the  coast." 

"  Very  well,  sir ;  there  is  a  famous  landing-place  there,  on 
the  Rainscourt  estate.  It  was  formerly  the  property  of 
Admiral  De  Courcy." 

"  Ah !  we  don't  mean  to  smuggle  any  more,  so  that's  no 
use.  I  should  not  have  known  that  it  was  near  the  Rains- 
court  property,  only  they  inserted  it  in  the  particulai-s  of  sale 
as  an  advantage  ;  though  I  confess  I  do  not  see  any  particular 
advantage  in  a  poor  man  living  too  near  a  rich  one.  But 
answer  my  question — what  are  you  going  to  do  with  your- 
self? If  I  can  assist  you,  M'Elvina,  I  will." 
148 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  I  do  not  intend  to  go  to  sea  any  more." 

"  No !  what  then  ?  I  suppose  you  would  like  to  marry, 
and  settle  on  shore  ?  Well,  if  I  can  assist  you,  M'Elvina, 
I  will." 

"You  could,  indeed,  assist  me  there,  sir." 

"  Oh  !  Susan,  I  suppose.  Nay,  don't  colour  up  ;  I've  seen 
it  long  enough,  and  if  I  had  not  meant  that  it  should  be 
so,  I  should  have  put  an  end  to  it  before.  You  are  an  honest 
man,  M'Elvina,  and  I  know  nobody  to  whom  I  would  give 
my  girl  sooner  than  to  you." 

"  You  have,  indeed,  removed  a  weight  from  my  mind,  sir, 
and  I  hardly  know  how  to  express  my  thanks  to  you  for 
your  good  wishes ;  but  I  have  yet  to  obtain  your  daughter's 
consent." 

"  I  know  you  have ;  you  cannot  expect  that  she  will 
anticipate  your  wishes  as  I  have  done.  But  as  I  wish  this 
business  to  be  decided  at  once,  I  shall  send  her  down  to  you, 
and  I'll  take  a  walk  in  the  meantime.  All  I  can  say  is,  that 
if  she  says  she  has  no  mind  to  you,  don't  you  believe  her,  for 
I  know  better." 

"  Susan  ! "  said  old  Hornblow,  going  to  the  door. 

"  Yes,  father." 

"  Come  down,  my  dear,  and  stay  with  Captain  M'Elvina. 
I  am  obliged  to  go  out." 

Old  Hornblow  reached  down  his  hat,  put  on  his  spencer, 
and  departed ;  while  Susan,  whose  heart  told  her  that  so 
unusual  a  movement  on  her  father's  part  was  not  without 
some  good  reason,  descended  to  the  parlour  with  a  quickened 
pulse. 

"  Susan ! "  said  M'Elvina,  who  had  risen  from  his  chair  to 
receive  her  as  soon  as  he  heard  her  footsteps,  "  I  have  much 
to  say  to  you,  and  I  must  be  as  brief  as  I  can,  for  my  mind  is 
in  too  agitated  a  state  to  bear  with  much  temporising.  Do 
me  the  favour  to  take  a  chair,  and  listen  while  I  make  you 
acquainted  with  what  you  do  not  know." 

Susan  trembled,  and  the  colour  flew  from  her  cheeks  as 
she  sat  down  on  the  chair  which  M'Elvina  handed  to  her. 

"Your  father,  Susan,  took  me  by  the  hand  at  the  time 

that  I  was  in  great  distress,  in  consequence  of  my  having 

pleased  him  by  an  act  of  common  honesty.      You  know  how 

kind  and  considerate  a  patron  he  has  been  to  me  since,  and 

149 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

I  have  now  been  in  his  employ  some  years.  This  evening  he 
has  overpowered  me  with  a  weight  of  gratitude,  by  allowing 
me  to  aspire  to  that  which  I  most  covet  on  earth,  and  has 
consented  to  my  robbing  him,  if  I  can,  of  his  greatest  treasure. 
You  cannot  mistake  what  I  mean.  But  previous  to  my 
requesting  an  answer  on  a  point  in  which  my  future  happi- 
ness is  involved,  I  have  an  act  of  justice  to  perform  towards 
you,  and  of  conscience  towards  myself,  which  must  be  ful- 
filled. It  is  to  be  candid,  and  not  allow  you  to  be  entrapped 
into  an  alliance  with  a  person  of  whose  life  you,  at  present, 
know  but  the  fair  side. 

"  First,  let  me  state  to  you,  Susan,  that  my  parentage  is 
as  obscure  as  it  well  can  be ;  and  secondly,  that  the  early 
part  of  my  life  was  as  vicious.  I  may,  indeed,  extenuate  it 
when  I  enter  into  an  explanation,  and  with  great  justice ; 
but  I  have  now  only  stated  the  facts  generally.  If  you 
wish  me  to  enter  into  particulars,  much  as  I  shall  blush  at 
the  exposure,  and  painful  as  the  task  assigned  will  be,  I 
shall  not  refuse,  even  at  the  risk  of  losing  all  I  covet  by 
the  confession;  for  much  as  my  happiness  is  at  stake,  I 
have  too  sincere  a  regard  for  you  to  allow  you  to  contract 
any  engagement  with  me  without  making  this  candid  avowal. 
Now,  Susan,  answer  me  frankly — whether,  in  the  first  place, 
you  wish  me  to  discover  the  particulars  of  my  early  life ;  in 
the  next  place  (if  you  decline  hearing  them),  whether  after 
this  general  avowal  you  will  listen  to  any  solicitations  on 
my  part  to  induce  you  to  unite  your  future  destiny  with 
mine  ?  " 

"  Captain  M'Elvina,  I  thank  you  for  your  candour,"  replied 
Susan,  "  and  will  imitate  you  in  my  answer.  Your  obscure 
parentage  cannot  be  a  matter  of  consideration  to  one  who 
has  no  descent  to  boast  of.  That  you  have  not  always  been 
leading  a  creditable  life,  I  am  sorry  for — more  sorry  because 
I  am  sure  it  must  be  a  source  of  repentance  and  mortification 
to  you ;  but  I  have  not  an  idle  curiosity  to  wish  you  to 
impart  that  which  would  not  tend  to  my  happiness  to 
divulge.  I  did  once  hear  an  old  gentlewoman,  who  had 
been  conversant  with  the  world,  declare  that  if  every  man 
was  obliged  to  confess  the  secrets  of  his  life  before  marriage, 
few  young  women  would  be  persuaded  to  go  up  to  the  altar. 
I  hope  it  is  not  true ;  but  whether  it  is  or  not,  it  does  not 
150 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

exactly  bear  upon  the  subject  in  agitation.  I  again  thank 
you  for  your  candour,  and  disclaim  all  wish  to  know  any 
further.  I  believe  I  have  now  answered  your  question." 

"  Not  yet,  Susan ;  you  have  not  yet  answered  the  latter 
part  of  it." 

"  What  was  it  ?     I  don't  recollect." 

"  It  was,"  said  M'Elvina,  picking  up  the  piece  of  twisted 
paper  which  Susan  had  thrown  under  the  grate,  "  whether 
you  would  listen  to  my  entreaties  to  sign  your  name  in  future 
as  on  this  paper  ?  " 

"  Oh,  M'Elvina/'  cried  Susan  ;  "  how  unfair,  how  ungene- 
rous !  Now  I  detest  you  ! " 

"  I'll  not  believe  that.  I  have  your  own  handwriting  to 
the  contrary,  and  I'll  appeal  to  your  father." 

"  Nay,  rather  than  that,  you  have  set  me  an  example  of 
candour,  and  shall  profit  by  it.  Promise  me,  M'Elvina, 
always  to  treat  me  as  you  have  this  day,  and  here  is  my 
hand." 

"  Who  would  not  be  honest  to  be  so  rewarded  ? "  replied 
M'Elvina,  as  he  embraced  the  blushing  girl. 

"Ah,  all's  right,  I  perceive,"  cried  old  Hornblow,  who  had 
opened  the  door  unperceived.  "  Come,  my  children,  take 
my  blessing ;  long  may  you  live  happy  and  united." 


CHAPTER  XXIV 

He  was  a  shrewd  philosopher, 
And  had  read  every  text  and  gloss  over, 
Whatever  sceptic  could  inquire  for, 
For  every  why  he  had  a  ivherefore. 
He  could  reduce  all  things  to  acts, 
And  knew  their  nature  by  abstracts. 

Hudibras. 

CAPTAIN  M was  not  unmindful  of  the  promise  which 

he  had  made  to   M'Elvina  relative   to  our  hero ;  and  when 
he  returned  to  the  ship  he  sent  for  Macallan,  the  surgeon, 
aud  requested  as  a  personal  favour  that  he  would  superin- 
tend Willy's  education  and  direct  his  studies. 
151 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Macallan  was  too  partial  to  Captain  M to  refuse,  and 

fortunately  had  imbibed  a  strong  regard  for  Willy,  whose 
romantic  history,  early  courage,  and  amiability  of  disposition 
had  made  him  a  general  favourite.  Macallan,  therefore, 
willingly  undertook  the  tuition  of  a  boy  who  combined 
energy  of  mind  with  docility  of  disposition  and  sweetness 
of  temper.  There  could  not  have  been  selected  a  person 
better  qualified  than  the  surgeon  for  imparting  that  general 
knowledge  so  valuable  in  after-life,  and  under  his  guid- 
ance Willy  soon  proved  that  strong  intellectual  powers  were 
among  the  other  advantages  which  he  had  received  from 
Nature. 

The   Aspasia  flew  before   the    trade-winds,   and  in  a  few 

weeks  arrived  at   Barbadoes,  where    Captain    M found 

orders  left  by  the  admiral  of  the  station,  directing  him  to 
survey  a  dangerous  reef  of  rocks  to  the  northward  of  Porto 
Rico,  and  to  continue  to  cruise  for  some  weeks  in  that 
quarter  after  the  service  had  been  performed.  In  three 
days  the  frigate  was  revictualled  and  watered ;  and  the 
officers  had  barely  time  to  have  their  sea  arrangements 
completed,  before  the  frigate  again  expanded  her  canvas 
to  a  favourable  breeze.  In  a  few  hours  the  island  was 
left  so  far  astern  as  to  appear  like  the  blue  mist  which 
so  often  deceives  the  expectant  scanner  of  the  horizon. 

"  You  Billy  Pitt !  is  all  my  linen  come  on  board  ?  " 

"Yes,  sar,"  replied  Billy,  who  was  in  Courtenay's  cabin; 
"I  make  bill  out;  just  now  cast  up  multerpication  of 
whole." 

"  I'm  afraid  you  very  often  use  multiplication  in  your  addi- 
tion, Mr.  Billy." 

"  True  bill,  sar,"  replied  Billy,  coming  out  of  the  cabin,  and 
handing  a  paper  to  Courtenay. 

«  What's  this  ? — nineteen  tarts  !  Why,  you  black  thief,  I 
never  had  any  tarts." 

"Please  let  me  see,  sar,"  said  Billy,  peering  .over  his 
shoulder.  "  Yes,  sar,  all  right — I  count  'em.  Tell  washer- 
woman put  plenty  of  tarch  in  collar." 

"  Shirts,  you  nigger ! — why  don't  you  learn  to  spell  with 
that  dictionary  of  yours  ?  " 

'•  Know  how  to  spell  very  well,  sar,"  replied  Billy  haughtily  ; 
" that  my  way  spell  ' tarts'  " 

152 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

" '  Fourteen  tockin,  seventeen  toul.' — You  do  know  how  to 
spell  to  a  T." 

"  Massa  Courtenay,  doctor  not  write  same  way  you  write." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Billy." 

"You  not  write  same  way  me — ebery  gentleman  write 
different  hand.  Now,  if  ebery  gentleman  write  his  own  way, 
why  not  ebery  gentleman  spell  his  own  way  ?  Dat  my  way 
to  spell,  sar,"  continued  Billy,  very  much  affronted. 

"I  can't  argue  with  you  now,  Mr.  Billy— there's  one 
bell  after  four  striking,  and  I  have  hardly  had  a  glass  of 
wine,  from  your  bothering  me.  Upon  my  soul,  it's  excessively 
annoying." 

"  One  bell,  Mr.  Courtenay  ! "  cried  Jerry  at  the  gun-room 
door;  "  Mr.  Price  will  thank  you  to  relieve  him." 

"  I  say,  Mr.  Prose,"  continued  Jerry,  as  he  passed  through 
the  steerage  to  return  on  deck,  "  I'll  just  trouble  you  to  hand 
your  carcass  up  as  soon  as  convenient." 

"  Directly,  Jerry — I — will — but  my  tea — is  so  hot." 

"  Well  then,  leave  it,  and  I'll  drink  it  for  you,"  replied  Jerry, 
ascending  the  ladder. 

"  Well,  Mr.  G ,  did  you  tell  Mr.  Courtenay  ?  "  inquired 

Price. 

"Yes,  sir,"  replied  Jerry. 

"  What  did  he  say  ?  " 

"  He  said, '  Pass  the  bottle,  sir,'  "  replied  Jerry,  touching  his 
hat,  and  not  changing  a  muscle  of  his  countenance,  although 
delighted  with  the  vexation  that  appeared  in  that  of  the  tired 
lieutenant  as  he  walked  away  forward. 

For  two  or  three  days  the  frigate  sailed  between  the 
islands,  which  reared  their  lofty  crests  abruptly  from  the 
ocean  like  the  embattlements  of  some  vast  castle  which 
had  been  submerged  to  the  water's  edge.  Her  progress 
was  slow,  as  she  was  only  indebted  to  the  land  or  sea 
breezes  as  they  alternately  blew,  and  was  becalmed  at  the 
close  of  the  day,  during  the  pause  between  their  relieving 
each  other  from  their  never-ceasing  duty.  Such  was  the 
situation  of  the  Aspasia  on  the  evening  of  the  third  day. 
The  scene  was  one  of  those  splendid  panoramas  which  are 
only  to  be  gazed  upon  in  tropical  climes.  The  sun  was 
near  setting ;  and  as  he  passed  through  the  horizontal  streaks 
of  vapour,  fringed  their  narrow  edges  with  a  blaze  of  glory 
153 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

strongly  in  contrast  with  the  deep  blue  of  the  zenith,,  re- 
flected by  the  still  wave  in  every  quarter,  except  where 
the  descending  orb  poured  down  his  volume  of  rays,  which 
changed  the  sea  into  an  element  of  molten  gold.  The 
frigate  was  lying  motionless  in  the  narrow  channel  between 
two  of  the  islands.,  the  high  mountains  of  which,  in  deep 
and  solemn  shade,  were  reflected  in  lengthened  shadows, 
extending  to  the  vessel's  sides,  and  looking  downwards 
you  beheld  the  "mountains  bowed."  Many  of  the  officers 
were  standing  abaft  admiring  the  beauty  of  the  scene, 
but  not  giving  vent  to  their  feelings  from  an  inward 
consciousness  of  inability  to  do  justice  to  it  in  their  ex- 
pressions. 

Macallan  first  broke  the  silence.  "  Who  would  imagine, 
Courtenay,  that  ere  yonder  sun  shall  rise  again  a  hurricane 
may  exhaust  its  rage  upon  a  spot  so  calm,  so  beautiful  as  this, 
Avhere  all  now  seems  to  whisper  peace  ?  " 

The  remark  was  followed  by  a  noise  like  that  proceeding 
from  a  distant  gun.  "  Is  it  pace  you  mane,  doctor  ?  "  said 
one  of  the  midshipmen,  from  the  sister  kingdom.  "  By  the 
powers,  there's  '  war  to  the  knife  '  already.  Look,"  continued 
he,  pointing  with  his  finger  in  a  direction  under  the  land, 
"  there's  a  battle  between  the  whale  and  the  thrasher." 

The  remark  of  the  midshipman  was  correct,  and  the  whole 
party  congregated  on  the  taffrail  to  witness  the  struggle 
which  had  already  commenced.  The  blows  of  the  thrasher, 
a  large  fish  of  the  same  species  as  the  whale,  given  with 
incredible  force  and  noise  on  the  back  of  the  whale,  were 
now  answered  by  his  more  unwieldy  antagonist,  who  lashed 
the  sea  with  fury  in  his  attempts  to  retaliate  upon  his  more 
active  assailant ;  and  while  the  contention  lasted,  the  water 
was  in  a  foam. 

In  a  few  minutes  the  whale  plunged  and  disappeared. 

"  He  has  had  enough  of  it,"  observed  the  master,  "  but 
the  thrasher  will  not  let  him  off  so  easily.  He  must  come  up 
to  breathe  directly,  and  you'll  find  the  thrasher  yard-arm  and 
yard-arm  with  him  again." 

As  the  master  observed,  the  whale  soon  reappeared ;  and  the 

thrasher,  who  had  closely  pursued  him,  as  if  determined  to 

make  up  for  lost  time,  threw  himself  out  of  the  water  and 

came  down  upon  the  whale,  striking  him  with  tremendous 

154 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

force  upon  the  shoulder.  The  whale  plunged  so  perpendicu- 
larly that  his  broad  tail  was  many  feet  upraised  in  the  air, 
and  the  persecuted  animal  was  seen  no  more. 

"  That  last  broadside  settled  him,"  said  Courtenay. 

"  Sunk  him  too,  I  think,"  cried  Jerry. 

"  Strange,"  observed  Courtenay,  addressing  Macallan,  "  that 
there  should  be  such  an  antipathy  between  the  animals.  The 
West  Indians  assert,  that  at  the  same  time  the  thrasher 
attacks  him  above,  the  sword-fish  pierces  him  underneath — if 
so,  it  must  be  very  annoying." 

"  I  have  heard  the  same  story,  but  have  never  myself  seen 
the  sword-fish,"  replied  Macallan  ;  "  it  is,  however,  very  pos- 
sible, as  there  is  no  animal  in  the  creation  that  has  so  many 
enemies  as  the  whale." 

"  A  tax  on  greatness,"  observed  Jerry ;  "  I'm  glad  it  goes 
by  bulk.  Mr.  Macallan,"  continued  he,  "  you're  a  philosopher, 
and  I  have  heard  you  argue  that  whatever  is,  is  right — will 
you  explain  to  my  consummate  ignorance,  upon  what  just 
grounds  the  thrasher  attacks  that  unoffending  mass  of 
blubber?" 

"I'll  explain  it  to  you,"  said  Courtenay,  laughing.  "The 
whale,  who  has  just  come  from  the  northward,  finds  himself  in 
very  comfortable  quarters  here,  and  has  no  wish  to  heave  up 
his  anchor  and  proceed  on  his  voyage  round  Cape  Horn.  The 
thrasher  is  the  port-admiral  of  the  station,  and  his  blows  are  so 
many  guns  to  enforce  his  orders  to  sail  forthwith." 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  answered  Jerry  sarcastically,  "for  your 
very  ingenious  explanation ;  but  I  do  not  see  why  his  guns 
should  be  shotted.  Perhaps  Mr.  Macallan  will  now  oblige 
me  by  his  ideas  on  the  subject." 

"  How  far  these  islands  may  be  the  Capua  to  the  whale, 
which  Mr.  Courtenay  presumes,  I  cannot  say,"  answered  the 
surgeon  pompously ;  "  but  I  have  observed  that  all  the 
cetaceous  tribe  are  very  much  annoyed  by  vermin  which 
adhere  to  their  skins.  You  often  see  the  porpoises  and 
smaller  fish  of  this  class  throw  themselves  into  the  air,  and 
fall  flat  on  the  water,  to  detach  the  barnacles  and  other 
parasitical  insects  which  distress  them.  May  it  not  be  that 
the  whale,  being  so  enormous  an  animal,  and  not  able  to 
employ  the  same  means  of  relief,  receives  it  from  the  blows 
of  the  thrasher?" 

155 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  Bravo,  doctor !  Why,  then,  the  thrasher  may  be  con- 
sidered as  a  medical  attendant  to  the  whale ;  and  from  the 
specimen  we  have  witnessed  of  his  humanity,  a  naval  practi- 
tioner, I  have  no  doubt,"  added  Jerry. 

"  Very  well,  Mr.  Jerry  ;  if  ever  you  come  under  my  hands, 
you  shall  smart  for  that." 

"  Very  little  chance,  doctor ;  I'm  such  a  miserable  object, 
that  even  disease  passes  by  me  with  contempt.  If  I  ever 
am  in  your  list,  I  presume  it  will  be  for  a  case  of  plethora," 
replied  Jerry,  spanning  his  thin  waist. 

"  Young  gentlemen,  get  down  directly.  What  are  you  all 
doing  there  on  the  taffrail  ?  "  bawled  out  the  first  Lieutenant, 
who  had  just  come  up  the  ladder. 

"  We've  been  looking  at  a  sea-bully,"  said  Jerry,  in  a  tone 
of  voice  sufficiently  loud  to  excite  the  merriment  of  those 
about  him  without  being  heard  by  the  first  lieutenant. 

"  What's  the  joke  ? "  observed  Mr.  Bully,  coming  aft  as 
the  midshipmen  were  dispersing. 

"Some  of  Mr.  J 's  nonsense,"  replied  the  surgeon. 

This  answer  not  being  satisfactory,  the  first  lieutenant  took 
it  for  granted,  as  people  usually  do,  that  the  laugh  was 
against  himself,  and  his  choler  was  raised  against  the  offend- 
ing party. 

"  Mr.  J !     Ay,  that  young  man  thinks  of  anything  but 

his  duty.     There  he  is,  playing  with  the  captain's  dog ;  and 
his  watch,  I'll  answer  for  it,  or  he  would  not  be  on  deck. 

Mr.  J ,"  continued  the  first  lieutenant  to  Jerry,  who  was 

walking  up  and  down  to  leeward,  followed  by  a  large  New- 
foundland dog,  "  is  it  your  watch  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  Jerry,  touching  his  hat. 

"  Then  why  are  you  skylarking  with  that  dog  ?  " 

"  I  am  not  skylarking  with  the  dog,  sir.  He  follows  me 
up  and  down.  I  believe  he  takes  me  for  a  bone." 

"  I  am  not  surprised  at  it,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant, 
laughing. 

The  surgeon,  who  remained  abaft,  was  now  accosted  by 
Willy,  who  had  been  amusing  himself  leaning  over  the  side  of 
a  boat  which  had  been  lowered  down  by  the  first  lieutenant 
to  examine  the  staying  of  the  masts,  and  catching  in  a  tin 
pot  the  various  minute  objects  of  natural  history  which  passed 
by  as  the  frigate  glided  slowly  along. 
J56 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"What  shell  is  this,  Mr.  Macallan,  which  I  have  picked 
up  ?  It  floated  on  the  surface  of  the  water  by  means  of 
these  air-bladders  which  are  attached  to  it.'t' 

"  That  shell,  Willy,"  replied  Macallan,  who,  mounting  his 
favourite  hobby,  immediately  spouted  his  pompous  truths, 
"is  called  by  naturalists  the  lanthina  fragilis,  perhaps  the 
weakest  and  most  delicate  in  its  texture  which  exists,  and 
yet  the  only  one  *  which  ventures  to  contend  with  the 
stormy  ocean.  The  varieties  of  the  nautili  have  the  same 
property  of  floating  on  the  surface  of  the  water,  but  they 
seldom  are  found  many  miles  from  land.  They  are  only 
coasters  in  comparison  with  this  adventurous  little  navigator, 
which  alone  braves  the  Atlantic,  and  floats  about  in  the  same 
fathomless  deep  which  is  ranged  by  the  devouring  shark  and 
lashed  by  the  stupendous  whale.  I  have  picked  up  these 
little  sailors  nearly  one  thousand  miles  from  the  land.  Yet 
observe,  it  is  his  security  ;  his  tenement,  of  such  thin  texture 
to  enable  him  to  float  with  greater  ease,  would  not  be  able 
to  encounter  the  rippling  of  the  wave  upon  the  smoothest 
beach." 

"  What  use  are  they  of?  " 

"  Of  no  direct  use  that  I  know  of,  William ;  but  if  it  has 
no  other  use  than  to  induce  you  to  reflect  a  little,  it  has  not 
been  made  in  vain.  All  created  things  are  not  applicable  to 
the  wants  or  the  enjoyment  of  man  ;  but  their  examination 
will  always  tend  to  his  improvement.  When  you  analyse 
this  little  creature  in  its  domicile,  and  see  how  wonderfully 
it  is  provided  with  all  means  necessary  for  its  existence  ; 
when  you  compare  it  with  the  thousand  varieties  upon  the 
beach,  in  all  of  which  you  will  perceive  the  same  Master 
hand  visible,  the  same  attention  in  providing  for  their  wants, 
the  same  minute  and  endless  beauty  of  colour  and  of  form — 
you  cannot  but  acknowledge  the  vastness  and  the  magnifi- 
cence of  the  Maker.  In  the  same  manner,  the  flowers  and 
shrubs,  which  embellish,  as  they  cover  the  earth,  are  not  all 
so  much  for  use  as  they  are  for  ornament.  What  human  in- 
genuity can  approach  to  the  perfection  of  the  meanest  effort 
of  the  Almighty  hand  ?  Has  it  not  been  pointed  out  in  the 

*  I  am  aware  that  there  are  two  or  three  other  pelagic  shells,  bat 
at  the  time  of  this  narrative  they  were  not  known. 
157 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

Scriptures,  '  Consider  the  lilies  of  the  field,  how  they  grow  ; 
they  toil  not,  neither  do  they  spin :  and  yet  I  say  unto  you, 
That  even  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  was  not  arrayed  like  one 
of  these.'  Never  debate  in  your  mind,  Willy,  of  what  use 
are  these  things  which  God  has  made  ;  for  of  what  use,  then, 
is  man,  the  most  endowed  and  the  most  perverse  of  all 
creation,  except  to  show  the  goodness  and  the  forbearance 
of  the  Almighty  ?  You  may  hereafter  be  inclined  to  debate 
why  noxious  reptiles  and  ferocious  beasts,  that  not  only  are 
useless  to  man,  but  a  source  of  dread  and  of  danger,  have 
been  created.  They  have  their  inheritance  upon  earth  as 
well  as  man,  and  combine  with  the  rest  of  animated  nature 
to  show  the  power,  and  the  wisdom,  and  the  endless  variety 
of  the  Creator.  It  is  true  that  all  animals  were  made  for 
our  use  ;  but  recollect,  that  when  man  fell  from  his  perfect 
state,  it  was  declared, '  In  the  sweat  of  thy  brow  thou  shalt 
eat  bread.'  Are  trackless  forests  and  yet  unexplored  regions 
to  remain  without  living  creatures  to  enjoy  them  until  they 
shall  be  required  by  man  ?  And  is  man,  in  his  fallen  state, 
to  possess  all  the  earth  and  its  advantages,  without  labour — 
without  fulfilling  his  destiny?  No.  Ferocious  and  noxious 
animals  disappear  only  before  cultivation.  It  is  part  of  the 
labour  to  which  he  has  been  sentenced,  that  he  should  rend 
them  out  as  the  '  thistle  and  the  thorn  ; '  or  drive  them  to 
those  regions  which  are  not  yet  required  by  him,  and  of 
which  they  may  continue  to  have  possession  undisturbed." 

Such  was  the  language  of  Macallan  to  our  hero,  whose 
thirst  for  knowledge  constantly  made  fresh  demands  upon 
the  surgeon's  fund  of  information ;  and  pedantic  as  his 
language  may  appear,  it  contained  important  truths,  which 
were  treasured  up  by  the  retentive  memory  of  his  pupil. 


158 


THE   KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  XXV 

How  frail,  how  cowardly  is  woman's  mind  1 
Yet  when  strong  jealousy  inflames  the  soul, 
The  weak  will  roar,  and  calms  to  tempests  roll. 

LEE'S  Rival  Queens. 

DUT  we  must  now  follow  up  the  motions  of  Mr.  Rainscourt, 
who  quitted  the  castle,  and  travelling  with  great  diligence, 
once  more  trod  the  pavement  of  the  metropolis,  which  he 
had  quitted  in  equal  haste  but  under  very  different  cir- 
cumstances. The  news  of  his  good  fortune  had  preceded 
him,  and  he  received  all  that  homage  which  is  invariably 
shown  to  a  man  who  has  many  creditors  and  the  means 
of  satisfying  all  their  demands.  As  he  had  prophesied, 
the  little  gentleman  in  black  was  as  obsequious  as  could 
be  desired,  and  threw  out  many  indirect  hints  of  the 
pleasure  he  should  have  in  superintending  Mr.  Rainscourt's 
future  arrangements ;  and  by  way  of  reinstating  himself 
in  his  good  graces,  acquainted  him  with  a  plan  for  reduc- 
ing the  amount  of  the  demands  that  were  made  upon 
him.  Rainscourt,  who  never  forgave,  so  far  acceded  to 
the  lawyer's  wishes  as  to  permit  him  to  take  that  part  of 

the  arrangements  into  his  hands ;  and  after  Mr  J had 

succeeded  in  bringing  the  usurers  to  reasonable  terms — 
when  all  had  been  duly  signed  and  sealed,  not  only  were 
his  services  declined  for  the  future,  but  the  servants  were 
desired  to  show  him  the  street-door. 

As  his  wife  had  remarked,  Rainscourt  found  no  difficulty 
in  making  friends  of  all  sorts,  and  of  both  sexes ;  and  he 
had  launched  into  a  routine  of  gaiety  and  dissipation,  in 
which  he  continued  for  several  months,  without  allowing 
his  wife  and  daughter  to  interrupt  his  amusements,  or  to 
enter  his  thoughts.  He  had  enclosed  an  order  upon  the 
banker  at  —  —  soon  after  his  arrival  in  London,  and  he 
considered  that  he  had  done  all  that  was  requisite.  Such 
was  not,  however,  the  opinion  of  his  wife — to  be  immured 
in  a  lonely  castle  in  Ireland  was  neither  her  intention 
nor  her  taste.  Finding  that  repeated  letters  were  un- 
159 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

answered,  in  which  she  requested  permission  to  join  him, 
;tnd  pointed  out  the  necessity  that  Emily,  who  was  now 
nearly  twelve  years  old,  should  have  the  advantages  of 
tuition  which  his  fortune  could  command,  she  packed  up 
a  slender  wardrobe,  and  in  a  week  arrived  in  London 
with  Emily,  and  drove  up  to  the  door  of  the  hotel  to 
which  Rainscourt  had  directed  that  his  letters  should  be 
addressed. 

Rainscourt  was  not  at  home  when  she  arrived.  Announc- 
ing herself  as  his  wife,  she  was  shown  upstairs  into  his 
apartments,  a  minute  survey  of  which,  with  their  contents, 
was  immediately  made ;  and  the  notes  and  letters  which 
were  carelessly  strewed  upon  the  tables,  and  all  of  which 
she  took  the  liberty  to  peruse,  had  the  effect  of  throw- 
ing Mrs.  Rainscourt  into  a  transport  of  jealousy  and  in- 
dignation. The  minutes  appeared  hours,  and  the  hours 
months,  until  he  made  his  appearance,  which  he  at  last 
did,  accompanied  by  two  fashionable  roues  writh  whom  he 
associated. 

The  waiters,  who  happened  not  to  be  in  the  way  as  he 
ascended  the  stairs,  had  not  announced  to  him  the  arrival 
of  his  wife,  who  was  sitting  on  the  sofa  in  her  bonnet  and 
shawl,  one  hand  full  of  notes  and  letters,  the  superscriptions 
of  which  were  evidently  in  a  female  hand,  and  the  other 
holding  her  handkerchief,  as  if  prepared  for  a  scene.  One 
leg  was  crossed  over  the  other,  and  the  foot  of  the  one 
that  was  above  worked  in  the  air  up  and  down  with  the 
force  of  a  piston  of  a  steam-engine,  indicative  of  the  propel- 
ling power  within,  when  Rainscourt,  whose  voice  was  heard  all 
the  way  upstairs,  arrived  at  the  landing-place,  and  in  answer 
to  a  question  of  one  of  his  companions  replied — 

"  Go  and  see  her !  Not  I ;  I'm  quite  tired  of  her.  By 
Jove,  I'd  as  soon  see  my  wife ; "  and  as  he  finished  the 
sentence,  entered  the  apartment,  where  the  unexpected 
appearance  of  Mrs.  Rainscourt  made  him  involuntarily  ex- 
claim, "Talk  of  the  devil " 

"And  she  appears,  sir,"  replied  the  lady,  rising,  and 
making  a  profound  courtesy. 

"  Pooh,    my   dear,"    replied    Rainscourt,  embarrassed   and 
unwilling  that  a  scene   should  take  place    before   his  com- 
panions, "I  was  only  joking." 
160 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Good  morning,  Rainscourt,"  said  one  of  his  friends  ;  "  I'm 
afraid  that  I  shall  be  de  trop." 

"And  I'm  off  too,  my  dear  fellow,  for  there's  no  saying 
how  the  joke  may  be  taken,"  added  the  other,  following  his 
companion  out  of  the  room. 

Emily  ran  up  to  her  father  and  took  his  hand ;  and  Rains- 
court,  who  was  as  much  attached  to  his  daughter  as  his 
selfish  character  would  permit,  kissed  her  forehead.  Both 
parties  were  for  a  short  time  silent.  Both  preferred  to  await 
the  attack  rather  than  commence  it ;  but  in  a  trial  of  for- 
bearance of  this  description,  it  may  easily  be  supposed  that 
the  gentleman  gained  the  victory.  Mrs.  Rainscourt  waited 
until  she  found  that  she  must  either  give  vent  to  her  feelings 
by  words,  or  that  her  whole  frame  would  explode  ;  and  the 
action  commenced  on  her  side  with  a  shower  of  tears,  which 
ended  in  violent  hysterics.  The  first  were  unheeded  by  her 
husband,  who  always  considered  them  as  a  kind  of  scaling 
her  guns  previous  to  an  engagement ;  but  the  hysterics 
rather  baffled  him.  In  his  own  house,  he  would  have  rung 
for  the  servants  and  left  them  to  repair  damages ;  but  at 
an  hotel,  an  eclat  was  to  be  avoided,  if  possible. 

"  Emily,  my  dear,  go  to  your  mother ;  you  know  how  to 
help  her." 

"  No,  I  do  not,  papa,"  said  the  child,  crying ;  "  but  Norah 
used  to  open  her  hands." 

Rainscourt's  eyes  were  naturally  directed  to  the  fingers 
of  his  wife,  in  which  he  perceived  a  collection  of  notes  and 
letters.  He  thought  it  might  be  advisable  to  open  her 
hand,  if  it  were  only  to  recover  these  out  of  her  possession. 
What  affection  would  not  have  induced  him  to  do,  interest 
accomplished.  He  advanced  to  the  sofa,  and  attempted  to 
open  her  clenched  hands ;  but  whether  Mrs.  Rainscourt's 
hysterics  were  only  feigned,  or  of  such  violence  as  to  defy 
the  strength  of  her  husband,  all  his  efforts  to  extract  the 
letters  proved  ineffectual,  and  after  several  unavailing  at- 
tempts he  desisted  from  his  exertions.  4 

"  What  else  is  good  for  her,  Emily  ?  " 

"  Water,  papa,  thrown  in  her  face ;  shall  I  ring  for  some  ?  " 

"  No,  my  dear ;  is  there  nothing  else  we  can  do  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes,  papa,  unlace  her  stays." 

Rainscourt,  who  was  not  very  expert  as  a  lady's  maid, 
161  L 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

had  some  difficulty  in  arriving  at  the  stays  through  the 
folds  of  the  gown,  el  cetera,  the  more  so  as  Mrs.  Rainscourt 
was  very  violent  in  her  movements,  and  he  was  not  a  little 
irritated  by  sundry  pricks  which  he  received  from  those 
indispensable  articles  of  dress  which  the  fair  sex  are  neces- 
sitated to  use,  pointing  out  to  us  that  there  are  no  roses 
without  thorns.  When  he  did  arrive  at  the  desired  encase- 
ment, he  was  just  as  much  puzzled  to  find  an  end  to  what 
appeared,  like  the  Gordian  knot,  to  have  neither  beginning 
nor  end.  Giving  way  to  the  natural  impatience  of  his 
temper,  he  seized  a  penknife  from  the  table,  to  divide  it 
a  tAlexandre.  Unfortunately,  in  his  hurry,  instead  of  insert- 
ing the  knife  on  the  inside  of  the  lace,  so  as  to  cut  to  him, 
he  cut  down  upon  it,  and  not  meeting  with  the  resistance 
which  he  expected,  the  point  of  the  knife  entered  with  no 
trifling  force  into  the  back  of  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  who  to 
his  astonishment  immediately  started  on  her  legs,  crying, 
"  Would  you  murder  me,  Mr.  Rainscourt  ? — help,  help  !  " 

"It  was  quite  accidental,  my  dear,"  said  Rainscourt,  in 
a  soothing  tone,  for  he  was  afraid  of  her  bringing  the 
whole  house  about  her  ears.  "I  really  am  quite  shocked 
at  my  own  awkwardness." 

"  It  quite  recovered  you,  though,  mamma,"  observed  Emily, 
with  great  simplicity,  and  for  which  remark,  to  her  astonish- 
ment, she  was  saluted  with  a  smart  box  on  the  ear. 

"  Why  should  you  be  shocked,  Mr.  Rainscourt  ? "  said  the 
lady,  who,  as  her  daughter  had  remarked,  seemed  wonderfully 
recovered  from  the  phle-6acAr-omy  which  had  been  adminis- 
tered— "why  should  you  be  shocked  at  stabbing  me  in  the 
back  ?  Have  I  not  wherewithal  in  my  hand  to  stab  me  a 
thousand  times  in  the  heart  ?  Look  at  these  letters,  all  of 
which  I  have  read !  You  had,  indeed,  reason  to  leave  me  in 
Galway ;  but  I  will  submit  to  it  no  longer.  Mr.  Rainscourt, 
I  insist  upon  an  immediate  separation." 

"  Why  should  we  quarrel,  then,  my  dear,  when  we  ar~  both 
^of  one  mind  ?    Now  do  me  the  favour  to  sit  down  and  talk  the 
matter  over  quietly.     What  is  it  that  you  require  ?  " 

"  First,  then,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  an  acknowledgment  on  your 
part  that  I  am  a  most  injured  and  most  ill-treated  woman." 

"  Granted,  my  dear,  if  that  will  add  to  your  happiness ;  I 
certainly  have  never  known  your  value." 
162 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

"  Don't  sneer,  sir,  if  you  please.  Secondly,  a  handsome 
allowance,  commensurate  with  your  fortune." 

"  Granted,  with  pleasure,  Mrs.  Rainscourt." 

"Thirdly,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  an  extra  allowance  for  the 
education  and  expenses  of  my  daughter,  who  will  remain 
under  my  care." 

"  Granted  also. " 

"  Further,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  to  keep  up  appearances,  I  wish 
one  of  the  mansions  on  your  different  estates  in  England 
to  be  appropriated  for  our  use.  Your  daughter  ought  to 
be  known,  and  reside  on  the  property  of  which  she  is  the 
future  heiress." 

"A  reasonable  demand,  which  I  accede  to.  Is  there 
anything  further  ?  " 

"  Nothing  of  moment ;  but,  for  Emily's  sake,  I  should  wish 
that  you  should  pay  us  an  occasional  visit,  and,  generally 
speaking,  keep  up  appearances  before  the  world." 

"  That  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  do,  my  dear,  and  shall 
always  speak  of  you  as  I  feel,  with  respect  and  esteem.  Is 
there  anything  more,  Mrs.  Rainscourt  ?  " 

"  There  is  not ;  but  I  believe  that  if  I  had  been  ten  times 
more  exorbitant  in  my  demands,"  replied  the  lady,  with 
pique,  "  that  you  would  have  granted  them — for  the  pleasure 
of  getting  rid  of  me."  ^ 

"  I  would  indeed,  my  dear,"  replied  Rainscourt ;  "  you  may 
command  me  in  anything,  except  my  own  person." 

"  I  require  no  other  partition,  sir,  than  that  of  your  fortune." 

"  And  of  that,  my  dear,  you  shall,  as  I  have  declared,  have 
a  liberal  share.  So  now,  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  I  think  we  can 
have  no  further  occasion  for  disagreement.  The  property 
in  Norfolk,  where  Admiral  De  Courcy  resided,  is  a  beautiful 
spot,  and  I  request  you  will  consider  it  as  your  headquarters. 
Of  course,  you  will  be  your  own  mistress  when  you  feel 
inclined  to  change  the  scene.  And  now,  as  all  may  be  con- 
sidered as  settled,  let  us  shake  hands,  and  henceforward  be 
good  friends." 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  gave  her  hand  and  sealed  the  new  con- 
tract, but  ill-treated  as  she  had  been — at  variance  with  her 
husband  for  years — and  now  convinced  that  she  had  been 
outraged  in  the  tenderest  point,  still  her  heart  leaned  towards 
the  father  of  her  child.  The  hand  that  now  was  extended  in 
163 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

earnest  of  future  separation,  reminded  her  of  the  day  when 
she  had  offered  it  in  pledge  of  future  fidelity  and  love,  and 
had  listened  with  rapture  to  his  reciprocal  obligation.  She 
covered  her  face  with  her  handkerchief,  which  was  soon 
moistened  with  her  tears. 

Such  is  woman  !  To  the  last  moment  she  cherishes  her 
love,  pure  as  an  emanation  from  the  Deity.  In  the  happy 
days  of  confidence  and  truth,  it  sheds  a  halo  round  her 
existence ;  in  those  of  sorrow  and  desertion,  memory,  guided 
by  its  resistless  power,  like  the  gnomon  of  the  dial,  marks 
but  those  hours  which  were  sunny  and  serene. 

However,  Mrs.  Rainscourt  soon  found  out  that  an  unlimited 
credit  upon  the  banker  was  no  bad  substitute  for  a  worthless 
husband  ;  and  assisted  by  her  pride,  she  enjoyed  more  real 
happiness  and  peace  of  mind  than  she  had  done  for  many 
years.  During  her  stay  in  London,  Rainscourt  occasionally 
paid  his  respects,  behaved  with  great  kindness  and  propriety, 
and  appeared  not  a  little  proud  of  the  expanding  beauty 
of  his  daughter.  Mrs.  Rainscourt  not  only  recovered  her 
spirits,  but  her  personal  attractions;  and  their  numerous 
acquaintance  wondered  what  could  possess  Mr.  Rainscourt  to 
be  indifferent  to  so  lively  and  so  charming  a  woman.  In 
a  few  weeks  the  mansion  was  ready  to  receive  them,  and 
Mj-s.  Rainscourt,  with  Emily  and  a  numerous  establishment, 
quitted  the  metropolis  to  take  up  their  abode  in  it  for  the 
ensuing  summer. 


CHAPTER  XXVI 

Pericles,  That's  your  superstition. 

Sailor.  Pardon  us,  sir.     With  us  at  sea  it  still  hath  been  observed, 
and  we  are  strong  in  earnest.— SHAKSPEAEB. 

J.  HE  weather  was  fine  and  the  water  smooth  on  the  morn- 
ing when  the  Aspasia  arrived  at  the  reef  which,  although 
well  known  to  exist,  had  been  very  incorrectly  laid  down ; 

and  Captain  M thought  it  advisable  to  drop  his  anchor 

in  preference  to  lying  off  and  on  so  near  to  dangers  which 

might  extend  much  farther  than  he  was  aware.     The  frigate 

164 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

was,  therefore,,  brought  up  in  eighteen  fathoms,  about  two 
miles  from  that  part  of  the  reef  which  discovered  itself 
above  water. 

The  captain  and  master  undertook  the  survey;  but  any 
officers  who  volunteered  their  assistance,  or  midshipmen 
who  wished  to  profit  by  the  opportunity  of  gaining  a  practical 
knowledge  of  maritime  surveying,  were  permitted  to  join  the 
party,  another  boat  having  been  lowered  down  for  their 
accommodation.  Hector,  the  captain's  Newfoundland  dog, 
was  flying  about  the  decks  mad  with  delight,  as  he  always 
was  when  a  boat  was  lowered  down,  as  he  anticipated  the 

pleasure  of  a  swim.  Captain  M ,  who  had  breakfasted, 

and  whose  boat  was  manned  alongside,  came  on  deck  ;  when 
the  dog  fawning  on  him,  he  desired  that  his  broad  leather 
collar,  with  the  ship's  name  in  large  brass  letters  riveted 
round  it,  should  be  taken  off,  that  it  might  not  be  injured 
by  the  salt  water.  Jerry,  who  was  on  deck,  and  received  the 
order,  asked  the  captain  for  the  key  of  the  padlock  which 

secured  it,  and  Captain  M handed  him  his  bunch  of 

keys,  to  which  it  had  been  affixed,  and  desiring  him  to  take 
the  collar  off  and  return  the  keys  to  him,  descended  again 
to  his  cabin. 

Jerry  soon  dispossessed  the  dog  of  his  collar,  and  ripe  for 
mischief,  went  down  to  the  midshipmen's  berth,  where  he 
found  Prose  alone,  the  rest  being  all  on  deck  or  scattered 
about  the  ship.  Prose  was  the  person  that  he  wanted,  being 
the  only  one  upon  whom  he  could  venture  a  practical  joke 
without  incurring  more  risk  than  was  agreeable.  Jerry  com- 
menced by  fixing  the  collar  round  his  own  neck,  and  said, 
"I  wish  I  could  get  promotion.  Now,  if  the  situation  of 
captain's  dog  was  only  vacant,  I  should  like  the  rating 
amazingly.  I  should  soon  get  fat  then,  and  I  think  I  should 
look  well  up  in  this  collar." 

"  Why,  Jerry,  that  collar  certainly  does  look  as  if  it  was 
made  for  you  ;  it's  rather  ornamental,  I  do  declare." 

"  I  wish  I  had  a  glass  to  see  how  it  looks.  I  would  try  it 
on  you,  Prose,  but  you've  such  a  bull  neck  that  it  wouldn't 
go  half  round  it." 

"Bull  neck,  Jerry — why,  I'll  lay  you  sixpence  that  my 
neck's  almost  as  small  as  yours ;  and  I'll  lay  you  a  shilling 
that  the  collar  will  go  round  my  neck." 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

"  Done  ;  now  let's  see — recollect  the  staple  must  go  into 
the  hole,  or  you  lose,"  said  Jerry,  fixing  the  collar  round 
Prose's  neck,  and  pretending  that  the  staple  was  not  into 
the  hole  of  the  collar  until  he  had  inserted  the  padlock, 
turned  and  taken  out  the  key. 

"Well,  I  do  declare  I've  lost,  Prose.  I  must  go  and  get 
you  the  shilling,"  continued  Jerry,  making  his  escape  out 
of  the  berth,  and  leaving  Prose  with  the  collar  so  tight  under 
his  chin  that  he  could  scarcely  open  his  mouth.  Jerry 
arrived  on  the  quarter-deck  just  as  the  captain  was  stepping 
into  the  boat,  and  he  went  up  to  him,  and  touching  his  hat, 
presented  him  with  the  bunch  of  keys. 

"  Oh,  thank  you,  Mr.  Jerry ;  I  had  forgotten  them,"  said 
Captain  M ,  descending  the  side  and  shoving  off. 

"  Whose  clothes  are  these  hanging  on  the  davit-guys  ? " 
said  Mr.  Bully,  who  had  given  order  that  no  clothes  were  to 
be  drying  after  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning. 

"  I  believe  that  they  are  Mr.  Prose's,  sir,  though  I  am  not 
sure,"  answered  Jerry,  who  knew  very  well  that  they  were 
not,  but  wished  that  Prose  should  be  sent  for. 

"  Quartermaster,  tell  Mr.  Prose  to  come  up  to  me  di- 
rectly." 

Jerry  immediately  ran  down  to  the  berth. 

"Well  now,  Jerry,  this  is  too  bad,  I  do  declare.  Come, 
take  it  off  again,  that's  a  good  fellow." 

"  Mr.  Prose,"  said  the  quartermaster,  "  the  first  lieutenant 
wants  you  on  deck  directly." 

"  There  now,  Jerry,  what  a  mess  I  might  have  been  in ! 
Where's  the  key  ? " 

"  I  have  not  got  it,"  replied  Jerry ;  "  the  captain  saw  me 
on  the  quarter-deck,  and  took  the  bunch  of  keys  away 
Vith  him." 

"  What  1  is  the  captain  gone  away  ?  I  do  declare,  now, 
this  is  too  bad,"  cried  Prose,  in  a  rage. 

"Too  bad! — why,  man,  don't  be  angry — it's  a  distinc- 
tion. Between  me  and  the  first  lieutenant,  you  are  created 
a  knight  of  the  Grand  Cross.  1  gave  you  the  collar, 
and  he  has  given  you  the  order,  which  I  recommend  you 
to  comply  with,  without  you  wish  further  elevation  to  the 
-head." 

Mr.  Prose,  the  first  lieutenant  wants  you  immediately," 
166 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

said  the  quartermaster,  who  had  been  despatched   to   him 
again. 

"Why,  how  can  I  go  up  with  a  dog's  collar  round  my 
neck  ?  " 

"  I'm  sorry,  very  sorry  indeed,  Prose.  Never  mind — say  it 
was  me." 

"  Say  it  was  you  !  Why,  so  it  was  you.  I'd  better  say 
that  I'm  sick." 

"  Yes,  that  will  do.  What  shall  your  complaint  be  ? — 
a  lock-jaw  ?  I'll  go  up  and  tell  Mr.  Bully— shall  I  ?  " 

"  Do— tell  him  I'm  not  well." 

Jerry  went  up  accordingly.  "  Mr.  Prose  is  not  well,  sir — 
he  has  a  sort  of  lock-jaw." 

"  I  wish  to  God  you  had  the  same  complaint,  sir,"  replied 
tne  first  lieutenant,  who  owed  him  one.  "  Macallan,  is  Mr. 
Prose  ill?" 

"Not  that  I  know  of;  he  has  not  applied  to  me.  I'll  go 
down  and  see  him  before  I  go  on  shore." 

Macallan  came  up  laughing,  but  he  recovered  his  serious- 
ness before  Bully  perceived  it. 

"Well,  doctor?" 

"Mr.  Prose  is  certainly  not  very  fit  to  come  on  deck  in 
his  present  state,"  said  Macallan,  who  then  descended  the 
side,  and  the  boat,  which  had  been  waiting  for  him,  shoved 
off.  But  this  time  Jerry  was  caught  in  his  own  trap. 

"Mr.  J ,  where  is  the  dog's  collar? — it  must  be  oiled 

and  cleaned,"  said  the  first  lieutenant. 

"  Shall  I  give  it  to  the  armourer,  sir  ?  "  replied  Jerry. 

"  No,  bring  it  up  to  me." 

Jerry  went  down,  and  returned  in  a  few  minutes.  "I 
cannot  find  it,  sir;  I  left  it  in  the  berth  when  I  came  on 
deck." 

"That's    just    like   your   usual    carelessness,    Mr.    J . 

Now  go  up  to  the  mast-head,  and  stay  there  till  I  call  you 
down." 

Jerry,  who  did  not  like  the  turn  which  the  joke  had 
taken,  moved  up  with  a  very  reluctant  step — at  the  rate  of 
about  one  ratline  in  ten  seconds. 

"  Come,  sir,  what  are  you  about  ? — start  up." 

"  I'm  no  up-start,  sir,"  replied  Jerry  to  the  first  lieutenant 
— a  sarcasm  which  hit  so  hard  that  Jerry  was  not   called 
167 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

down  till  dark ;  and  long  after  Prose  had,  by  making  interest 
with  the  captain's  steward,  obtained  the  keys  and  released 
his  neck  from  its  enthralment. 

The  party  in  the  second  boat  were  landed  on  the  reef, 
and  while  the  rest  were  attending  to  the  survey,  Macallan 
was  employed  in  examining  the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  and 
collecting  the  different  objects  of  natural  history  which  pre- 
sented themselves.  The  boat  was  sent  on  board,  as  it  was 
not  required  until  the  afternoon,  when  the  gun-room  officers 
were  to  return  to  dinner.  The  captain's  gig  remained  on 
shore,  and  the  coxswain  was  employed  by  Macallan  in  re- 
ceiving from  him  the  different  shells  and  varieties  of  coral 
with  which  the  rocks  were  covered. 

"  Take  particular  care  of  this  specimen,"  said  the  surgeon, 
as  he  delivered  a  bunch  of  corallines  into  the  hands  of 
Marshall,  the  coxswain. 

"  I  ax  your  pardon,  Mr.  Macallan,  but  what's  the  good  of 
picking  up  all  this  rubbish  ?  " 

"  Rubbish  ! "  replied  the  surgeon,  laughing ;  "  why,  you 
don't  know  what  it  is.  What  do  you  think  those  are  which 
I  just  gave  you?" 

"  Why,  weeds  are  rubbish,  and  these  be  only  pieces  of  sea- 
weed." 

"  They  happen  to  be  animals." 

"  Hanimals ! "  cried  the  coxswain,  with  an  incredulous 
smile  ;  "  well,  sir,  I  always  took  'em  to  be  weggittables.  We 
live  and  larn,  sure  enough.  Are  cabbage  and  hingions 
hanimals  too?" 

"  No,"  replied  the  surgeon,  much  amused,  "  they  are  not, 
Marshall ;  but  these  are.  Now  take  them  to  the  boat,  and 
put  them  in  a  safe  place,  and  then  come  back." 

"  I  say,  Bill,  look  ye  here,"  said  the  coxswain  to  one  of 
the  sailors,  who  was  lying  down  on  the  thwarts  of  the 
boat,  holding  up  the  coral  to  him  in  a  contemptuous 
manner,  "what  the  hell  d'ye  think  this  is?  Why,  it's  a 
hanimal ! " 

"A  what?" 

"  I'll  be  blow'd  if  the  doctor  don't  say  it's  a  hanimal ! " 

"No  more  a  hanimal  than  I  am,"  replied  the  sailor, 
laying  his  head  down  again  on  the  thwarts  and  shutting 
his  eyes. 

168 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

In  a  few  minutes  Marshall  returned  to  the  surgeon,  who, 
tired  with  clambering  over  the  rocks,  was  sitting  down  to 
rest  himself  a  little.  "Well,  Marshall,  I  hope  you  have 
not  hurt  what  I  gave  into  your  charge." 

"  Hurt  'em ! — why,  sir,  a'ter  what  you  told  me,  I'd  as 
soon  have  hurt  a  cat."  / 

"What,  you  are  superstitious  on  that  point,  as  seamen 
generally  are." 

"  Super — what,  Mr.  Macallan  ?  I  only  knows  that  they 
who  ill-treats  a  cat  comes  worst  off.  I've  proof  positive 
of  that  since  I  have  been  in  the  service.  I  could  spin  you 
a  yarn." 

"  Well  now,  Marshall,  pray  do.  Come,  sit  down  here ; 
I  am  fond  of  proof  positive.  Now,  let  me  hear  what  you 
have  to  say,  and  I'll  listen  without  interrupting  you." 

The  coxswain  took  his  seat  as  Macallan  desired,  and 
taking  the  quid  of  tobacco  out  of  his  cheek,  and  laying  it 
down  on  the  rock  beside  him,  commenced  as  follows : — 

"Well  now,  d'ye  see,  Mr.  Macallan,  I'll  just  exactly  tell 
you  how  it  was,  and  then  I  leaves  you  to  judge  whether  a 
cat's  to  be  sarved  in  that  way.  It  was  when  I  belonged 
to  the  Survellanty  frigate,  that  we  were  lying  in  Cawsand 
Bay  awaiting  for  sailing  orders.  We  hadn't  dropped  the 
anchor  more  than  a  week,  and  there  was  no  liberty  ashore. 
Well,  sir,  the  purser  found  out  that  his  steward  was  a  bit 
of  a  rascal,  and  turns  him  adrift.  The  ship's  company 
knew  that  long  afore ;  for  it  was  not  a  few  that  he  had 
cheated,  and  we  were  all  glad  to  see  him  and  his  traps 
handed  down  the  side.  Now,  sir,  this  here  fellow  had  a 
black  cat — but  it  warn't  at  all  like  other  cats.  When  it  was 
a  kitten  they  had  cut  off  his  tail  close  to  its  starn,  and  his 
ears  had  been  shaved  off  just  as  close  to  his  figure-head, 
and  the  hanimal  used  to  set  up  on  his  hind  legs  and  fight 
like  a  rabbit.  It  had  quite  lost  its  natur,  as  it  were,  and 
looked  for  all  the  world  like  a  little  imp  of  darkness.  It 
always  lived  in  the  purser's  steward's  room,  and  we  never 
seed  him  but  when  we  went  down  for  the  biscuit  and  flour 
as  was  sarving  out.  "* 

"  Well,  sir,  when  this  rascal  of  a  steward  leaves  the  ship, 
he  had  no  natural  affection  for  his  cat,  and  he  leaves  him 
on  board,  belonging  to  nobody ;  and  the  steward  as  comes 
169 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

in  his  p*ace  turns  him  out  of  the  steward's  room ;  so  the 
poor  jury-rigged  little  devil  had  to  take  care  of  itself. 

"We  all  tried  to  coax  it  into  one  berth  or  the  other, 
but  the  poor  brute  wouldn't  take  to  nobody.  You  know, 
sir,  a  cat  doesn't  like  to  change,  so  he  wandered  about 
the  ship  mewing  all  day  and  thieving  all  night.  At  last 
he  takes  to  the  master's  cabin  and  makes  a  dirt  there, 
and  the  master  gets  very  savage,  and  swears  that  he'll  kill 
him  if  ever  he  comes  athwart  him. 

"Now,  sir,  you  knows  it's  the  natur  of  cats  always  to 
make  a  dirt  in  the  same  place  —  reason  why,  God  only 
knows ;  and  so  this  poor  black  devil  always  returns  to  the 
master's  cabin,  and  makes  it,  as  it  were,  his  headquarters. 
At  last  the  master,  who  was  as  even-tempered  an  officer 
as  ever  I  sailed  with,  finds  one  day  that  his  sextant  case 
is  all  of  a  smudge ;  so  being  touched  in  a  sore  place,  he 
gets  into  a  great  rage,  and  orders  all  the  boys  of  the  ship 
to  catch  the  cat;  and  after  much  ado  the  poor  cat  was 
catched,  and  brought  aft  into  the  gun-room.  '  Now,  then, 

P ,'  said  the  master  to  the  first  lieutenant,  '  will  you 

help  kill  the  dirty  beast  ? ' — and  the  first  lieutenant,  who 
cared  more  about  his  lower  deck  being  clean  than  fifty 
human  beings'  lives,  said  he  would ;  so  they  called  the 
sargant  o'  marines,  and  orders  him  to  bring  up  two  ship's 
muskets  and  some  ball  cartridge,  and  they  goes  on  deck 
with  the  cat  in  their  arms. 

"  Well,  sir,  when  the  men  saw  the  cat  brought  up  on 
deck,  and  hears  that  he  was  to  be  hove  overboard,  they 
all  congregates  together  upon  the  lee  gangway,  and  gives 
their  opinions  on  the  subject ;  and  one  says,  '  Let's  go 
and  speak  to  the  first  lieutenant ; '  and  another  says,  '  He'll 
put  you  on  the  black  list ; '  and  so  they  don't  do  nothing 
— all  except  Jenkins,  the  boatswain's  mate,  who  calls  to 
a  waterman  out  of  the  main-deck  port,  and  says,  '  Water- 
man,' says  he,  f  when  they  heaves  that  cat  overboard,  do 
you  pick  him  up  and  I'll  give  you  a  shilling ; '  and  the 
waterman  says  as  how  he  would,  for  you  see,  sir,  the  men 
didn't  know  that  the  muskets  ha4  been  ordered  up  to 
shoot  the  poor  beast. 

"  Well,  sir,  the  waterman  laid  off  on  his  pars,  and  the  men, 
knowing  what  Jenkins  had  done,  were  content.  But  when 
170 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  sargant  o'  marines  comes  up  and  loads  the  muskets  with 
ball  cartridges,  then  the  men  begins  to  grumble  ;  howsomever, 
the  master  throws  the  cat  overboard  off  the  lee-quarter,  and 
the  waterman,  as  soon  as  he  sees  her  splash  in  the  water, 
backs  astarn  to  take  her  into  the  boat,  but  the  first  lieutenant 
tells  him  to  get  out  of  the  way  if  he  doesn't  want  a  bullet 
through  his  boat — so  he  pulls  ahead  again.  The  master  fires 
first,  and  hits  the  cat  a  clip  on  the  neck,  which  turns  her  half 
over,  and  the  first  lieutenant  fires  his  musket,  and  cuts  the 
poor  hanimal  right  in  half  by  the  backbone,  and  she  sprawls 
a  bit,  and  then  goes  down  to  the  bottom.  e  Capital  shots 
both,'  says  the  first  lieutenant ;  '  he'll  never  take  an  observa- 
tion of  your  sextant  again,  master  ; '  and  they  both  laughs 
heartily,  and  goes  down  the  ladder  to  get  their  dinner. 

"  Well,  sir,  I  never  seed  a  ship's  company  in  such  a  farmant, 
or  such  a  nitty  kicked  up  'tween  decks  in  my  life :  it  was 
almost  as  bad  as  a  mutiny ;  but  they  piped  to  grog  soon  a'ter, 
and  the  men  goes  to  their  berths  and  talks  the  matter  over 
more  coolly,  and  they  all  agrees  that  no  good  would  come  to 
the  ship  a'ter  that,  and  very  melancholy  they  were,  and 
couldn't  forget  it. 

"  Well,  sir,  our  sailing  orders  comes  down  the  next  day,  and 
the  first  cutter  is  sent  on  shore  for  the  captain,  and  six  men 
out  of  ten  leaves  the  boat,  and  I'm  sure  that  it  warn't  for 
desartion,  but  all  along  of  that  cat  being  hove  overboard  and 
butchered  in  that  way — for  three  on  'em  were  messmates  of 
mine— for  you  know,  sir,  we  talks  them  matters  over,  and  if 
they  had  had  a  mind  to  quit  the  sarvice,  I  should  have  know'd 
it.  The  captain  was  as  savage  as  a  bear  with  a  sore  head, 
and  did  nothing  but  growl  for  three  days  afterwards,  and  it 
was  well  to  keep  clear  on  him,  for  he  snapped  right  and  left 
like  a  mad  dog.  I  never  seed  him  in  such  a  humour  afore, 
except  once  when  he  had  a  fortnight's  foul  wind. 

' '  Well,  sir,  we  had  been  out  a  week,  when  we  falls  in  with 
a  large  frigate,  and  beats  to  quarters.  We  expected  her  to 
be  a  Frenchman ;  but  as  soon  as  she  comes  within  gunshot 
she  hoists  the  private  signal,  and  proves  to  be  the  Semiramus, 
and  our  senior  officer.  The  next  morning,  cruising  together, 
we  sees  a  vessel  in-shore,  and  the  Semiramus  stands  in  on 
the  larboard  tack,  and  orders  us  by  signal  to  keep  away,  and 
prevent  his  running  along  the  coast.  The  vessel  finding  that 
171 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

she  couldn't  go  no  way,  comes  to  an  anchor  under  a  battery 
of  two  guns  ;  and  then  the  commodore  makes  the  signal  for 
boats  manned  and  armed  to  cut  her  out. 

"  Well,  sir,  our  first  lieutenant  was  in  his  cot,  on  his  beam 
ends,  with  the  rheumatiz,  and  couldn't  go  on  sarvice ;  so  the 
second  and  third  lieutenants,  and  master,  and  one  of  the  mid- 
shipmen, had  command  of  our  four  boats,  and  the  commodore 
sent  seven  of  his'n.  The  boats  pulled  in,  and  carried  the 
vessel  in  good  style,  and  there  never  was  a  man  hurt.  As 
many  boats  as  could  clap  on  her  took  her  in  tow,  and  out  she 
came  at  the  rate  of  four  knots  an  hour.  I  was  coxswain  of 
the  pinnace,  which  was  under  the  charge  of  the  master, 
and  we  were  pulling  on  board,  as  all  the  boats  weren't  wanted 
to  tow ;  and  we.  were  about  three  cables'  length  ahead  of  the 
vessel,  when  I  sees  her  aground  upon  a  rock,  that  nobody 
knows  nothing  about,  on  the  starboard  side  of  the  entrance 
of  the  harbour;  and  I  said  that  she  were  grounded  to  the 
master,  who  orders  us  to  pull  back  to  the  vessel  to  assist  'em 
in  getting  her  off  again. 

"  Well,  sir,  we  gets  alongside  of  her,  and  finds  that  she 
was  off  again,  having  only  grazed  the  rock,  and  the  boats 
towed  her  out  again  with  a  rally.  Now  the  Frenchmen  were 
firing  at  us  with  muskets,  for  we  had  shut  in  the  battery,  and 
as  we  were  almost  out  of  the  musket-shot,  the  balls  only 
pitted  in  the  water,  ^without  doing  any  harm  —  and  I  was 
a-standing  with  the  master  on  the  starn-sheets,  my  body  being 
just  between  him  and  the  beach  where  they  were  a-firing 
from.  It  seemed  mortally  impossible  to  hit  him,  except 
through  me.  Howsomever,  a  bullet  passes  between  my  arm 
— just  here — and  my  side,  and  striked  him  dead  upon  the 
spot.  There  warn't  another  man  hit  out  of  nine  boats'  crews, 
and  I'll  leave  you  to  guess  whether  the  sailors  didn't  declare 
that  he  got  his  death  all  along  of  murdering  the  cat. 

"  Well,  sir,  the  men  thought,  as  he  had  fired  first,  that  now 
all  was  over ;  only  Jenkins,  the  boatswain's-mate,  said  '  that 
he  warn't  quite  sure  of  that.'  We  parts  company  with  the 
commodore  the  next  day,  and  the  day  a'ter,  as  it  turned  out,  we 
falls  in  with  a  French  frigate.  She  had  the  heels  of  us,  and 
kept  us  at  long  balls,  but  we  hoped  to  cut  her  off  from  running 
into  Brest  if  a  slant  o'  wind  favoured  us,  and  obligating  her 
to  fight,  whether  or  no.  Tom  Collins,  the  first  lieutenant,  was 
172 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

still  laid  up  in  his  cot  with  the  rheumaticks,  but  when  he  hears 
of  a  French  frigate  he  gets  up  and  goes  on  deck ;  but  when 
he  gets  there  he  tips  us  a  faint  and  falls  down  on  the  carronade 
slide,  and  his  hat  rolled  off  his  head  into  the  waist.  He  tried,  but 
he  was  so  weak  that  he  couldn't  get  up  on  his  sticks  again. 

"Well,  sir,  the  captain  goes  up  to  him,  and  says  something 
about  zeal,  and  all  that,  and  tells  him  he  must  go  down 
below  again,  because  he's  quite  incapable,  and  orders  the 
men  at  the  foremost  carronades  to  take  him  to  his  cot.  Now, 
sir,  just  as  we  were  handing  him  down  the  ladder — for  I  was 
captain  of  the  gun — a  shot  comes  in  at  the  second  port,  and 
takes  off  his  skull  as  he  lays  in  our  arms,  and  never  hurts 
another  man.  He  was  dead  in  no  time  ;  and  what  was  more 
curious,  it  was  the  only  shot  that  hit  the  frigate.  The 
Frenchman  got  into  Brest,  so  it  was  no  action  after  all. 

"  So  you  see,  Mr.  Macallan,  in  two  scrummages  only  two 
men  were  killed  out  of  hundreds,  and  they  were  the  two  who 
had  killed  the  cat !  Now,  that's  what  I  calls  proof  positive, 
for  I  seed  it  all  with  my  own  eyes ;  and  I  should  like  to 
know  whether  you  could  do  the  same  with  regard  to  that 
thing  being  a  hanimal  ?" 

"  I  will,  Marshall ;  to-morrow  you  shall  see  that  with  your 
own  eyes." 

"To-morrow  come  never!"*  muttered  the  coxswain,  re- 
placing the  quid  of  tobacco  in  his  cheek. 


CHAPTER  XXVH 

And,  lo  !  while  he  was  expounding,  in  set  terms,  the  most  abstruse 
of  his  pious  doctrines,  the  head  of  the  tub  whereon  the  good  man 
stood  gave  way,  and  the  preacher  was  lost  from  before  the  eyes  of  the 
whole  congregation. — Life  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Smith,  S.S. 

I^EYMOUR,   who   was   always   the    companion   of  Captain 

M whenever  either   instruction    or  amusement  was   to 

be  gained,  now  quitted  the  surveying  party  to  join  Macallan, 

*  The  phraseology  of  sailors  has  been  so  caricatured  of  late,  that 
I  am  afraid  my  story  will  be  considered  as  translated  into  English, 
Seamen,  however,  must  decide  which  is  correct. 
173 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

who  still  continued  seated  on  the  rocks,  reflecting  upon  the 
remarkable  coincidence  which  the  coxswain  had  narrated, 
sufficient  in  itself  to  confirm  the  superstitious  ideas  of  the 
sailors  for  another  century.  His  thoughts  naturally  reverted 
to  the  other  point,  in  which  seafaring  men  are  equally  bigoted 
— the  disastrous  consequences  of  "  sailing  on  a  Friday  ; "  the 
origin  of  which  superstition  can  easily  be  traced  to  early 
Catholicism,  when,  out  of  respect  for  the  day  of  universal 
redemption,  they  were  directed  by  their  pastors  to  await  the 
"morrow's  sun."  "Thus,"  mentally  exclaimed  Macallan, 
"  has  religion  degenerated  into  superstition ;  and  that  which, 
from  the  purity  of  its  origin,  would  have  commanded  our 
respect,  is  now  only  deserving  of  our  contempt.  It  is  by  the 
motives  that  have  produced  them  that  our  actions  must  be 
weighed.  That  which  once  was  an  offering  of  religious 
veneration  and  love,  is  now  a  tribute  to  superstition  and  to 
fear.  Well,  Seymour,"  said  he,  addressing  his  companion, 
"  how  do  you  like  surveying  ?  " 

"  Not  much  ;  the  sun  is  hot,  and  the  glare  so  powerful  that 
I  am  almost  blind.  What  a  pity  it  is  that  we  had  not  some 
trees  here  to  shade  us  from  the  heat !  I  should  like  to  plant 
some  for  the  benefit  of  those  who  may  come  after  us." 

"A  correct  feeling  on  your  part,  my  boy;  but  no  trees 
would  grow  here  at  present — there  is  no  soil." 

"  There  is  plenty  of  some  sort  or  other  in  the  part  where 
we  have  been  surveying." 

"  Yes,  the  sand  thrown  up  by  the  sea,  and  the  particles  of 
shells  and  rock  which  have  been  triturated  by  the  wave,  or 
decomposed  by  the  alternate  action  of  the  elements ;  but 
there  is  no  vegetable  matter,  without  which  there  can 
be  no  vegetable  produce.  Observe,  Willy, — the  skeleton 
of  this  earth  is  framed  of  rocks  and  mountains,  which 
have  been  proudly  rearing  their  heads  into  the  clouds,  or 
lying  in  dark  majesty  beneath  the  seas,  since  the  creation 
of  the  world,  when  they  were  fixed  by  the  Almighty 
architect  to  remain  till  time  shall  be  no  more.  Over 
them  we  find  the  wrecks  of  a  former  world  —  once  as 
beautiful,  as  thickly  peopled,  but  more  thoughtless  and 
more  wicked  than  the  present  —  which  was  hurled  into 
one  general  chjios,  and  its  component,  but  incongruous, 
parts  amalgamated  in  awful  mockery  by  the  Deluge — that 
174 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

tremendous  evidence  of  the  wrath  of  Heaven.  But  it  has 
long  passed  away ;  and  o'er  the  relics  of  former  creation, 
o'er  the  kneaded  mass  of  man  in  his  pride,  of  woman  in 
her  beauty,  of  arts  in  their  splendour,  of  vice  in  her  zenith, 
and  of  virtue  in  her  tomb,  we  are  standing  upon  another, 
teeming  with  life,  and  yielding  forth  her  fruits  in  the 
season  as  before.  But,  Willy,  the  supports  of  life  are  not 
to  be  found  in  primeval  rocks  or  antediluvial  remains.  It 
is  from  the  superficial  covering,  the  thin  crust  with  which 
the  earth  is  covered,  composed  of  the  remains  of  former 
existence,  of  the  breccia  of  exhausted  nature,  that  animal 
creation  derives  its  support ;  and  it  is  the  grand  axiom  of 
the  universe,  that  'animal  life  can  only  be  supported  by 
animal  remains.'  From  the  meanest  insect  that  crawls 
upon  the  ground  to  man  in  his  perfection,  life  is  supported 
and  continued  by  animal  and  vegetable  food ;  ,.nd  it  is 
only  the  decayed  matter  returned  to  the  earth  which  en- 
ables the  lofty  cedar  to  extend  its  boughs,  or  the  lowly 
violet  to  exhale  its  perfume.  This  is  a  world  of  eternal 
reproduction  and  decay — one  endless  cycle  of  the  living 
preying  on  the  dead — a  phoanix  yearly,  daily,  and  hourly 
springing  from  its  ashes,  in  renewed  strength  and  beauty. 
The  blade  of  grass,  which  shoots  from  the  soil,  flowers, 
casts  its  seed,  and  dies,  to  make  room  for  its  offspring, 
nourished  by  the  relics  of  its  parent,  is  a  type  of  the  never- 
changing  law,  controlling  all  Nature,  even  to  man  himself, 
who  must  pass  away  to  make  room  for  the  generation  which 
is  to  come." 

The  boat  which,  returning  from  the  ship,  appeared  like 
a  black  speck  on  the  water,  indicated  that  the  dinner-hour 
was  at  hand ;  and  Price  and  the  purser,  who  had  come  on 
shore  with  Macallan,  now  joined  him  and  Willy,  who  were 
sitting  down  on  the  rocks  at  the  water's  edge. 

"Well,  Macallan,"  said  Price,  "it's  a  fine  thing  to  be  a 
philosopher.  What  is  that  which  Milton  says  ?  Let  me 
see  ! — sweet — something — divine  philosophy — I  forget  the 
exact  words.  Well,  what  have  you  caught  ?  " 

"  If  you've  caught  nothing,  doctor,  you're  better  off  than 
I  am,"  said  the  purser,  wiping  his  brow,  "  for  I've  caught 
a  headache." 

"  I  have  been  very  well  amused,"  replied  Macallan. 
175 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Ay,  I  suppose,  like  what's-his-name  in  the  forest — you 
recollect  ?  " 

"No,  indeed,  I  do  not." 

"Don't  you?  Bless  my  soul  —  you  know,  sermons  in 
stones,  and  good  in  everything.  I  forget  how  the  lines  run. 
Don't  you  recollect,  O'Keefe  ? "  continued  Price,  speaking 
loud  in  the  purser's  ear. 

"  No,  I  never  collect.  I  don't  understand  these  things," 
replied  the  purser,  taking  his  seat  by  Macallan,  and  address- 
ing him — "  I  cannot  think  what  pleasure  there  can  be  in 
poking  about  the  rocks,  as  you  do." 

"  It  serves  to  amuse  me,  O'Keefe." 

"  Abuse  you,  my  dear  fellow  !  Indeed  I  never  meant  it — 
I  beg  your  pardon — you  mistook  me." 

"It  was  my  fault.  I  did  not  speak  sufficiently  loud. 
Make  no  apology." 

"  Too  proud  to  make  an  apology ! — No,  indeed — I  only 
asked  what  amusement  you  could  find  ? — that's  all." 

"What  amusement?"  replied  Macallan,  rising  from  his 
seat,  annoyed  at  these  repeated  attacks  from  all  quarters 
upon  his  favourite  study.  "  Listen  to  me,  and  I  will  ex- 
plain to  you  how  investigation  is  the  parent  of  both  amuse- 
ment and  instruction.  What  is  this  rock  that  I  am  standing 
on  ?  Has  it  remained  here  for  ages  to  be  dashed  by  the 
furious  ocean  ?  or  has  it  lately  sprung  from  the  depths, 
from  the  silent  labour  of  the  indefatigable  zoophites  ?  Look 
at  its  sides ;  behold  the  variety  of  marine  vegetation  with 
which  it  is  loaded.  Are  they  of  the  class  of  the  ulvae, 
confervae,  or  fuci  ?  to  be  welcomed  as  old  acquaintance, 
or,  hitherto  unnoticed,  to  be  added  to  the  catalogue  of 
Nature's  endless  stores  ?  And  what  are  those  corals  that, 
like  mimic  tenants  of  the  forest,  extend  their  graceful 
boughs !  Look  at  the  variety  of  shells  which  are  adhering 
to  its  sides.  Observe  the  patellae — with  what  tenacity  they 
cling  to  save  themselves  from  being  washed  into  the  deep 
water,  and  being  devoured  by  the  fishes  that  are  playing 
in  its  chasms  !  What  a  source  of  endless  amusement,  what 
a  field  for  deep  reflection,  is  there  in  the  investigation  of 
this  one  little  rock  !  When  you  contemplate  the  instinct 
of  the  different  species,  the  powers  given  to  them,  so 
adapted  to  their  wants  and  their  privations,  is  not  the 
176 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

eye  delighted,  is  not  the  mind  enlarged,  and  are  not  the 
feelings  harmonised  ?  Study  the  works  of  the  creation, 
and  you  turn  a  desert  into  a  peopled  city,  a  barren  rock 
into  a  source  of  admiration  and  delight.  Nay,  search  into 
Nature  for  a  few  minutes,  and  you  rise  a  better  man.  Dive 
into " 

What  the  conclusion  of  the  doctor's  rhapsody  may  have 
been  is  not  known ;  for,  stamping  too  energetically  upon  the 
seaweed  on  the  edge  of  the  rock,  his  foot  slipped,  and  he 
disappeared,  with  the  perpendicular  descent  and  velocity  of 
a  deep  sea  lead,  into  the  water  alongside  of  it. 

Marshall,  the  coxswain,  who  had  been  astonished  at  his 
speech,  to  which  he  had  listened  with  mouth  open  for  want 
of  comprehension,  quite  forgot  the  respect  due  to  an  officer 
at  this  unexpected  finale. 

"  Watch,  there,  watch  1 "  cried  the  man,  and  then  threw 
himself  down  and  rolled  in  convulsions  of  laughter.  Price 
and  Willy,  whose  mirth  was  almost  as  excessive,  did,  how- 
ever, run  to  his  assistance,  and  caught  him  by  the  collar  as 
he  rose  again  to  the  surface,  for  it  was  considerably  out  of 
his  depth ;  while  the  deaf  purser,  whose  eyes  had  been  fixed 
on  the  ground,  in  deep  attention  to  catch  the  doctor's  words, 
and  whose  ears  were  not  sufficiently  acute  to  hear  the  splash, 
looked  up  as  they  were  going  to  his  assistance,  and  asked 
with  surprise,  "  Where's  the  doctor  ?  " 

The  sides  of  the  rock  were  so  slippery  that  the  united 
efforts  of  Price  and  Seymour  (whose  powers  were  much 
enfeebled  from  extreme  mirth)  were  not  sufficient  to  haul 
Macallan  upon  terra  Jirma.  "  Marshall,  come  here  directly, 
sir,  and  help  us,"  cried  Willy — an  order  which  the  coxswain, 
who  was  sufficiently  recovered,  immediately  obeyed. 

"  Give  me  your  hand,  Mr.  Macallan,"  said  the  man,  as  the 
surgeon  was  clinging  to  the  seaweed ;  "  it's  no  use  holding 
on  by  them  slippery  hanimals.  Now,  then,  Mr.  Price — all 
together." 

"  Ay,  and  as  soon  as  you  please,"  called  out  the  malicious 
boatkeeper  of  the  gig ;  "  I  seed  a  large  shark  but  a  minute 
ago." 

"  Quick — quick  ! "  roared  the  surgeon,  who  already  ima- 
gined his  leg  encircled  by  the  teeth  of  the  ravenous 
animal. 

177  M 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

By  their  united  efforts  Macallan  was  at  last  safely  landed — 
and  after  much  sputtering,  blowing,  and  puffing,  was  about 
to  address  the  coxswain  in  no  very  amicable  manner,  when 
the  purser  interrupted  him. 

"  By  the  powers,  doctor,  but  you  took  the  right  way  to 
have  a  close  examination  of  all  those  fine  things  which  you 
were  giving  us  a  catalogue  of;  but  now  give  us  the  re- 
mainder of  your  speech — you  gave  us  a  practical  illustration 
of  diving." 

"  What  sort  of  sensation  was  it,  doctor  ?  "  said  Price.  "  You 
recollect  Shakspeare — and  '  O,  methinks  what  pain  it  was  to 
drown ' — Let  me  see — something " 

"  Pray  don't  tax  your  memory,  Price ;  it's  something  like 
our  country — past  all  further  taxation." 

"  That's  the  severest  thing  you've  said  since  we've  sailed 
together.  You're  out  of  humour,  doctor.  Well,  you  know 
what  Shakspeare  says :  '  There  never  yet  was  found  a 
philosopher  ' — something  about  the  toothache.  I  forget 
the  words." 

These  attacks  did  not  at  all  tend  to  restore  the  equa- 
nimity of  the  doctor's  temper,  which,  it  must  be  acknow- 
ledged, had  some  excuse  for  being  disturbed  by  the  events 
of  the  morning ;  but  he  proved  himself  a  wise  man,  for  he 
made  no  further  reply.  The  boat  pulled  in,  and  the  party 
returned  on  board  ;  and  when  Macallan  had  divested  himself 
of  his  uncomfortable  attire,  and  joined  his  messmates  at  the 
dinner-table,  he  had  recovered  his  usual  serenity  of  dis- 
position, and  joined  himself  in  the  laugh  which  had  been 
created  at  his  expense. 


178 


THE  KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  XXVIII 

A  man  must  serve  his  time  to  every  trade, 
Save  censure. — Critics  all  are  ready  made. 
Take  hackneyed  jokes  from  Miller,  got  by  rote, 
With  just  enough  of  learning  to  misquote  ; 
A  mind  well  skilled  to  find  or  forge  a  fault, 
A  turn  for  punning — call  it  Attic  salt : 
Fear  not  to  lie,  'twill  seem  a  lucky  hit, 
Shrink  not  from  blasphemy,  'twill  pass  for  wit, 
Care  not  for  feeling, — pass  your  proper  jest, 
And  stand  a  critic  1  hated,  yet  caressed. 

BYRON. 

_L  HE  survey  was  continued.  One  morning,  after  a  fatiguing 
walk  from  point  to  point,  occasionally  crossing  from  one  islet 
to  the  others  in  the  boats,  the  party  collected  under  a  pro- 
jecting rock,  which  screened  them  from  the  rays  of  the  ver- 
tical sun,  and  the  repast,  Avhich  had  been  brought  from  the 
ship  in  the  morning,  was  spread  before  them.  The  party 

consisted  of  Captain  M ;  Pearce,  the  master ;  the  surgeon, 

who  had  accompanied  them  to  explore  the  natural  produc- 
tions of  the  reef;  and  the  confidential  clerk  of  Captain 

M ,  a  man  of  the  name  of  Collier,  who  had  been  many 

years  in  his  service,  and  who  was  now  employed  in  noting 
down  the  angles  taken  with  the  theodolite. 

Tired    with  the  labours   of  the  morning,  Captain   M 

did  not  rise  immediately  after  their  meal  had  been  despatched, 
but  entered  into  conversation  with  the  surgeon,  who  was 
looking  over  the  memoranda  which  he  had  made  relative 
to  the  natural  history  of  the  reef. 

"  Do  you  intend  to  write  a  book,  Mr.  Macallan,  that  you 
have  collected  so  many  remarks  ?  " 

"  Indeed  I  do  not,  sir.  I  have  no  ambition  to  be  an 
author." 

The  clerk,  who  was  very  taciturn  in  general,  and  seldom 
spoke  unless  on  points  connected  with  his  duty,  joined  the 
conversation  by  addressing  the  surgeon. 

"It's  a  service  of  danger,  sir,  and  you  must  be  prepared 
to  meet  the  attacks  both  of  authors  and  reviewers." 
179 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

"  Of  reviewers  I  can  imagine/'  replied  Macallan  ;  "but  why 
of  authors  ?" 

"  That  depends  very  much  whether  you  tread  over  beaten 
ground  or  strike  into  a  new  path.  In  the  latter  case  you 
will  be  pretty  safe  from  both,  as  the  authors  will  be  indifferent, 
and  the  reviewers,  in  all  probability,  incapable." 

"And  why  if  I  enter  upon  a  beaten  track,  which,  I 
presume,  infers  a  style  of  writing  in  which  others  have 
preceded  me  ?  " 

"  Because,  sir,  when  a  new  author  makes  his  appearance, 
he  is  much  in  the  same  situation  as  a  strange  dog  entering 
a  kennel  preoccupied  by  many  others.  He  is  immediately 
attacked  and  worried  by  the  rest,  until,  either  by  boldly 
defending  himself,  or  pertinaciously  refusing  to  quit,  he  even- 
tually obtains  a  domiciliation,  and  becomes  an  acknowledged 
member  of  the  fraternity." 

"  Why,  Mr.  Collier,"  observed  the  captain,  "  you  seem  to 
be  quite  aufait  as  to  literary  arrangements." 

"  I  ought  to  be,  sir,"  replied  the  clerk  ;  "  for  in  the  course  of 
my  life  I  have  attempted  to  become  an  author,  and  practised 
as  a  reviewer." 

"  Indeed  !   And  did  you  fail  in  your  attempt  at  authorship  ?  " 

"  My  work  was  never  printed,  sir,  for  no  bookseller  would 
undertake  to  publish  it.  I  tried  the  whole  town ;  no  man 
would  give  himself  the  trouble  to  look  over  the  MS.  It 
was  said  that  the  public  taste  was  not  that  way,  and  that 
it  would  not  do.  At  last  I  received  a  letter  of  introduction 
from  an  old  acquaintance  to  his  uncle,  who  was  a  literary 
character.  He  certainly  did  read  some  parts  of  my  per- 
formance." 

"  And  what  then  ?  " 

"  Why,  sir,  he  shook  his  head — told  me  with  a  sneer  that, 
as  an  author,  I  should  never  succeed;  but  he  added,  with 
a  sort  of  encouraging  smile,  that  from  some  parts  of  the 
MS.  which  he  had  perused  he  thought  that  he  could  find 
employment  for  me  in  the  reviewing  line,  if  I  chose  to 
undertake  it. 

"  My  pride  was  hurt,  and  I  answered  that  I  could  not 
agree  with  him,  as  I  considered  that  it  required  the  ability 
to  write  a  book  yourself  to  enable  you  to  decide  upon  the 
merits  of  others." 

180 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  Well,  I  must  say'  that  I  agree  with  you,,"  replied  the 
captain.  "Proceed  in  your  story,  for  I  am  interested." 

"  My  friend  answered,  '  By  no  means,  my  dear  sir  ;  a  d — d 
bad  author  generally  makes  a  very  good  reviewer.  Indeed, 
sir,  to  be  candid  with  you,  I  never  allow  any  gentleman  to 
review  for  me  unless  he  has  met  with  a  misfortune  similar 
to  yours.  It  is  one  of  the  necessary  qualifications  of  a  good 
reviewer  that  he  should  have  failed  as  an  author ;  lor  with- 
out the  exacerbated  feelings  arising  from  disappointment,  he 
would  not  possess  gall  sufficient  for  his  task,  and  nis  con- 
science would  stand  in  his  way  when  he  was  writing  against 
it,  if  he  were  not  spurred  on  by  the  keen  probes  of  envy.'  " 

"  And  he  convinced  you  ?  " 

"My  poverty  did,  sir,  if  he  did  not.  I  worked  many 
months  for  him ;  but  I  had  better  have  earned  my  bread  as 
a  common  labourer." 

"  Reviews  ought  to  pay  well,  too,"  observed  Macallan : 
"  they  are  periodicals  in  great  demand." 

"They  are  so,"  replied  Captain  M ;  "and  the  reasons 

are  obvious.  Few  people  take  the  trouble  to  think  for 
thlmselves ;  but,  on  the  contrary,  are  very  glad  to  find 
others  who  will  think  for  them.  Some  cannot  find  time 
to  read,  others  will  not  find  it.  A  review  removes  all 
these  difficulties — gives  the  busy  world  an  insight  into  what 
is  going  on  in  the  literary  world,  and  enables  the  lounger 
not  to  appear  wholly  ignorant  of  a  work  the  merits  of  which 
may  happen  to  be  discussed.  But  what  is  the  consequence  ? 
That  seven-eighths  of  the  town  are  led  by  the  nose  by  this 
or  that  periodical  work,  having  wholly  lost  sight  of  the 
fact  that  reviews  are  far  from  being  gospel.  Indeed,  I 
do  not  know  any  set  of  men  so  likely  to  err  as  reviewers. 
In  the  first  place,  there  is  no  class  of  people  so  irascible, 
so  full  of  party  feeling,  so  disgraced  by  envy,  as  authors ; 
hatred,  malice,  and  all  uncharitableness  seem  to  preside 
over  science.  Their  political  opinions  step  in,  and  increase 
the  undue  preponderance ;  and,  to  crown  all,  they  are 
more  influenced  by  money,  being  proverbially  more  in 
want  of  it  than  others.  How,  then,  is  it  to  be  expected 
that  reviews  can  be  impartial  ?  I  seldom  read  them  myself, 
as  I  consider  that  it  is  better  to  know  nothing  than  to  be 
misled." 

181 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  And  if  it  is  a  fair  question,  Mr.  Collier/'  continued  Captain 
M ,  "in  what  manner  were  you  employed  ?  " 

"  I  am  almost  ashamed  to  tell  you,  sir — I  was  a  mere 
automaton,  a  machine,  in  the  hands  of  others.  A  new 
publication  was  sent  to  me,  with  a  private  mai'k  from  my 
employer,  directing  the  quantum  of  praise  or  censure  which 
it  was  to  incur.  If  the  former  were  allotted  to  it,  the  best 
passages  were  selected ;  if  condemned  to  the  latter,  all  the 
worst.  The  connecting  parts  of  the  review  were  made  up 
from  a  commonplace  book,  in  which,  by  turning  to  any 
subject,  you  found  the  general  heads  and  extracts  from 
the  works  of  others,  which  you  were  directed  to  alter,  so 
as  to  retain  the  ideas,  but  disguise  the  style,  that  it  might 
appear  original." 

"  Are  you  aware  of  the  grounds  of  praise  or  abuse  ?  for  it 
appears  that  those  who  directed  the  censure  did  not  read  the 
publications  ?  " 

"The  grounds  were  various.  Books  printed  by  a  book- 
seller to  whom  my  master  had  a  dislike  were  sure  to  be 
run  down ;  on  the  contrary,  those  published  by  his  connec- 
tions or  friends  were  as  much  applauded.  Moreover*  the 
influence  of  authors  who  were  afraid  of  a  successful  rival  in 
their  own  line,  often  damned  a  work." 

"  But  you  do  not  mean  to  say  that  all  reviews  are  conducted 
with  such  want  of  principle  ?  " 

"  By  no  means.  There  are  many  very  impartial  and  clever 
critiques.  The  misfortune  is,  that  unless  you  read  the  work 
that  is  reviewed,  you  cannot  distinguish  one  from  the  other." 

"  And  pray,  what  induced  you  to  abandon  this  creditable 
employment  ?  " 

"  A  quarrel,  sir.  I  had  reviewed  a  work  with  the  private 
mark  of  approval,  when  it  was  found  out  to  be  a  mistake,  and 
I  was  desired  to  review  it  with  censure.  I  expected  to  be  paid 
for  the  second  review  as  well  as  for  the  first.  My  employer 
thought  proper  to  consider  it  all  as  one  job,  and  refused — so 
we  parted." 

"  Pretty  tricks  in  trade,  indeed  !  "  replied  Captain  M . 

"  Why,  Mr.  Collier,  you  appear  to  have  belonged  to  a  gang 
of  literary  bravoes,  whose  pens,  like  stilettoes,  were  always 
ready  to  stab,  in  the  dark,  the  unfortunate  individuals  who 
might  be  pointed  out  to  them  by  interest  or  revenge." 
182 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  I  acknowledge  the  justice  of  your  remarks,  sir ;  all  that 
I  can  offer  in  my  defence  is,  the  excuse  of  the  libeller  to 
Cardinal  Richelieu — '  Ilfaut  vivre,  monsieur.'  " 

"  And  I  answer  you,  with  the  Cardinal — '  Je  ne  vois  pas 

la  necessite,'  "  replied  Captain  M ,  with  a  smile,  as  he 

rose  to  resume  his  labours. 


CHAPTER  XXIX 

He  fell,  and,  deadly  pale, 
Groaned  out  his  soul. 

MILTON. 

JL'O,  mamma,  come  here/'  said  Emily,  as  she  was  looking 
out  of  the  window  of  an  inn  on  the  road,  where  they  had 
stopped  to  take  some  refreshment  — "  do  come  and  see 
what  a  pretty  lady  is  in  the  chariot  which  has  stopped  at 
the  door." 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  complied  with  her  daughter's  request,  and 
acknowledged  the  justice  of  the  remark  when  she  saw  the 
expressive  countenance  of  Susan  (now  Mrs.  M'Elvina),  who 
was  listening  to  the  proposal  of  her  husband  that  they 
should  alight  and  partake  of  some  refreshment.  Susan 
consented,  and  was  followed  by  old  Hornblow,  who,  pulling 
out  his  watch  from  his  white  cassimere  femoralia,  which  he 
had  continued  to  wear  ever  since  the  day  of  the  wedding, 
declared  that  they  must  stop  to  dine. 

"  This  country  air  makes  one  confoundedly  hungry,"  said 
the  old  man ;  "  I  declare  I  never  had  such  an  appetite  in 
Cateaton  Street.  Susan,  my  dear,  order  something  that  won't 
take  long  in  cooking — a  beef-steak,  if  they  have  nothing 
down  at  the  fire." 

Mrs.  Rainscourt,  who  was  as  much  prepossessed  with  the 
appearance  of  M'Elvina  as  with  that  of  his  wife,  gave  vent 
to  her  thoughts  with  "  I  wonder  who  they  are  !  "  Her  maid, 
who  was  in  the  room,  took  this  as  a  hint  to  obtain  the 
gratification  of  her  mistress's  curiosity  as  well  as  her  own, 
and  proceeded  accordingly  on  her  voyage  of  discovery.  In 
a  few  minutes  she  returned,  having  boarded  the  Abigail  of 
183 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

Mrs.  M'Elvina  just  as  she  was  coming  to  an  anchor  inside  the 
bar;  and  having  made  an  interchange  of  intelligence,  with 
a  rapidity  incredible  to  those  who  are  not  aware  of  the 
velocity  of  communication  between  this  description  of  people, 
re-entered  the  parlour,  to  make  a  report  to  her  commanding 
officer  precisely  at  the  same  moment  that  Susan's  maid  was 
delivering  her  cargo  of  intelligence  to  her  own  mistress. 

"They  are  a  new-married  couple,  ma'am,  and  their  name 
is  M'Elvina,"  said  the  one. 

"  The  lady  is  a  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  and  the  young  lady  is  her 
daughter,  and  a  great  heiress/'  whispered  the  other. 

"  They  have  purchased  the  hunting  box  close  to  the  — 
Hall,  and  are  going  there  now,"  said  the  first. 

"They  live  at  the  great  park,  close  to  where  you  are 
going,  ma'am,"  said  the  second. 

"  The  old  gentleman's  name  is  Hornblow.  He  is  the 
lady's  father,  and  as  rich  as  a  Jew,  they  say,"  continued  Mrs. 
Rainscourt's  maid. 

"  Mrs.  Rainscourt  don't  live  with  her  husband,  ma'am ; 
by  all  accounts  he's  a  bad  'un,"  continued  the  Abigail  of 
Susan. 

The  publicity  of  the  staircase  of  a  hotel  is  very  con- 
venient for  making  an  acquaintance ;  and  it  happened  that, 
just  after  these  communications  had  been  made,  Emily  was 
ascending  the  stairs  as  Mrs.  M'Elvina  was  going  down  to 
join  her  husband  and  father  at  the  dinner  table.  The 
smiling  face  and  beaming  eyes  of  Emily,  who  evidently 
lingered  to  be  spoken  to,  were  so  engaging,  that  she  soon 
found  her  way  into  the  room  which  the  M'Elvinas  were 
occupying. 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  was  not  sorry  to  find  that  she  was  to  have 
for  neighbours  a  couple  whose  appearance  had  so  prepossessed 
her  in  their  favour.  As  she  expected  that  her  society  would 
be  rather  confined,  she  did  not  suffer  to  escape  the  favourable 
opportunity  which  presented  itself  of  making  their  acquaint- 
ance. As  they  were  returning  to  their  vehicles,  Emily  ran 
to  Mrs.  M'Elvina  to  wish  her  good-bye,  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt 
expressed  her  thanks  for  the  notice  they  had  taken  of  her 
daughter.  A  few  minutes'  conversation  ended  in  "hoping 
to  have  the  pleasure  of  making  their  acquaintance  as  soon 
as  they  were  settled." 

184 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

The  carriages  drove  off,  and  we  shall  follow  that  of  the 
M'Elvinas,  which  arrived  at  its  destination  late  in  the 
evening,  without  any  accident. 

The  cottage-ornee  (as  all  middle-sized  houses  with  verandas 
and  French  windows  are  now  designated)  which  Hornblow 
had  purchased  was,  for  a  wonder,  quite  as  complete  as  de- 
scribed in  the  particulars  of  sale.  It  had  the  sloping  lawn 
in  front ;  the  three  acres  (more  or  less)  of  plantation  and 
pleasure  ground,  tastefully  laid  out,  and  planted  with  thriving 
young  trees;  the  capital  walled  gardens,  stocked  with  the 
choicest  fruit  trees,  in  full  bearing ;  abundant  springs  of  the 
finest  water ;  stabling  for  six  horses ;  cow-house,  cart-house, 
farmyard,  and  complete  piggery.  The  dimensions  of  the 
conservatory  and  rooms  in  the  interior  of  the  house  were 
quite  correct ;  and  the  land  attached  to  it  was  according  to 
"the  accompanying  plan,"  and  divided  into  parcels,  desig- 
nated by  the  rural  terms  of  "  Homestead,"  "  Lob's-pound," 
"  Eight-acre-meadow,"  "  Little-orchard  field,"  &c.  &c. 

In  short,  it  was  a  very  eligible  purchase,  and  a  very 
pretty  and  retired  domicile ;  and  when  our  party  arrived, 
the  flowers  seemed  to  yield  a  more  grateful  perfume,  the 
trees  appeared  more  umbrageous,  and  the  verdure  of  the 
meadows  of  a  more  refreshing  green,  from  the  contrast 
with  so  many  hours'  travelling  upon  a  dusty  road  during 
a  sultry  day. 

"  Oh,  how  beautiful  these  roses  are !  Do  look,  my  dear 
father." 

"They  are,  indeed,"  replied  old  Hornblow,  delighted  at 
the  happy  face  of  his  daughter;  "but  I  should  like  some 
tea,  Susan — I  am  not  used  to  so  much  jumbling.  I  feel 
tired,  and  shall  go  to  bed  early." 

Tea  was  accordingly  prepared,  soon  after  which  the  old 
gentleman  rose  to  retire. 

"Well,"  said  he,  as  he  lighted  his  chamber-candle,  "I 
suppose  I  am  settled  here  for  life ;  but  I  hardly  know 
what  to  do  with  myself.  I  must  make  acquaintance  with 
all  the  flowers  and  all  the  trees ;  the  budding  of  the  spring 
will  make  me  think  of  grandchildren,  the  tree  clothed  in 
its  beauty  of  you,  and  the  fall  of  the  leaf  of  myself.  I 
must  count  the  poultry,  and  look  after  the  pigs,  and  see 
the  cows  milked.  I  was  fond  of  the  little  parlour  in 
185 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

Cateaton  Street,  because  I  had  sat  in  it  so  long;  and  I 
suppose  that  I  shall  get  fond  of  this  place  too,  if  I  find 
enough  to  employ  and  amuse  me.  But  you  must  be  quick 
and  give  me  a  grandchild,  Susan,  and  then  I  shall  nurse 
him  all  day  long.  Good-night — God  bless  you,  my  dear — 
good-night." 

"  Good-night,  my  dear  sir,"  replied  Susan,  who  had  coloured 
deeply  at  the  request  which  he  had  made. 

"  Good-night,  M'Elvina,  my  boy ;  this  is  the  first  night 
we  pass  under  this  roof;  may  we  live  many  happy  years 
in  it;"  and  old  Hornblow  left  the  room  and  ascended  the 
stairs. 

M'Elvina  had  encircled  Susan's  waist  with  his  arm,  and 
was  probably  about  to  utter  some  wish  in  unison  with 
that  of  her  father,  when  the  noise  of  a  heavy  fall  sounded 
in  their  ears. 

"  Good  Heaven  ! "  cried  Susan,  "  it  is  my  father  who  has 
fallen  downstairs." 

M'Elvina  rushed  out ;  it  was  but  too  true.  The  stair- 
carpet  had  not  yet  been  laid  down,  and  his  foot  had  slipped 
at  the  uppermost  step.  He  was  taken  up  senseless,  and 
when  medical  advice  was  procured,  his  head  and  his  spine 
were  found  to  be  seriously  injured.  In  a  few  days,  during 
which  he  never  spoke,  old  Hornblow  was  no  more.  Thus 
the  old  man,  like  the  prophet  of  old,  after  all  his  toiling, 
was  but  permitted  to  see  the  promised  land ;  and  thus 
are  our  days  cut  short  at  the  very  moment  of  realising  our 
most  sanguine  expectations. 

Reader,  let  us  look  at  home.  Shall  I,  now  thoughtlessly 
riding  upon  the  agitated  billow,  with  but  one  thin  plank 
between  me  and  death,  and  yet.  so  busy  with  this  futile 
work,  be  permitted  to  bring  it  to  a  close  ?  The  hand  which 
guides  the  flowing  pen  may  to-morrow  be  stiff;  the  head 
now  teeming  with  its  subject  may  be  past  all  thought  ere 
to-morrow's  sun  is  set — ay,  sooner '  And  you,  reader,  who 
may  so  far  have  had  the  courage  to  proceed  in  the  volumes 
without  throwing  them  away,  shall  you  be  permitted  to 
finish  your  more  trifling  task  ? — or,  before  its  close,  be  hurried 
from  this  transitory  scene  where  fiction  ends,  and  the  spirit, 
re-endowed,  will  be  enabled  to  raise  its  eyes  upon  the 
lightning  beams  of  unveiled  truth  ? 
186 


THE   KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  XXX 

And  if  you  chance  his  shipp  to  borde, 
This  counsel  I  must  give  withall. 

Ballad  of  Sir  Andrew  Barton,  1560. 

Discretion 

And  hardy  valour  are  the  twins  of  honour, 
And,  nursed  together,  make  a  conqueror  I 
Divided,  but  a  talker. 

BEAUMONT  and  FLETCHER. 

1  HE  .  survey  having  been    completed,   Captain   M ,  in 

pursuance  of  the  orders  which  he  had  received,  weighed  his 
anchor,  and  proceeded  to  cruise  until  the  want  of  provisions 
and  water  should  compel  him  to  return  into  port.  For  many 
days  the  look-out  men  at  the  mastheads  were  disappointed 
in  their  hopes  of  reporting  a  strange  sail,  the  chase  or  capture 
of  which  would  relieve  the  monotony  of  constant  sky  and 
water,  until,  one  Sunday  forenoon,  as  Captain  M —  —  was 
performing  divine  service,  the  man  at  the  masthead  hailed 
the  deck  with  "  A  strange  sail  on  the  weather-bow  !  " 

The  puritan  may  be  shocked  to  hear  that  the  service  was 

speedily,  although  decorously,  closed  ;  but  Captain  M was 

aware  from  the  fidgeting  of  the  ship's  company  upon  the 
capstan  bars,  on  which  they  were  seated,  that  it  would  be 
impossible  to  regain  their  attention  to  the  service,  even  if 
he  had  felt  inclined  to  proceed ;  and  he  well  knew  that 
any  worship  of  God  in  which  the  mind  and  heart  were  not 
engaged  was  but  an  idle  ceremony,  if  not  a  solemn  mockery. 
The  hands  were  turned  up,  all  sail  was  made,  and  in  an 
hour  the  stranger  was  to  be  seen  with  the  naked  eye  from 
the  fore-yard. 

"  What  do  you  make  of  her,  Mr.  Stewart  ?  "  said  the  first 
lieutenant  to  him,  as  he  sat  aloft  with  his  glass  directed 
towards  the  vessel. 

"A  merchant  ship,  sir,  in  ballast." 

"What  did  he  say,  Jerry?"  inquired  Prose,  who  stood  by 
him  on  the  gangway. 

187 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  A  French  vessel,  deeply  laden,  Prose." 

"  Bravo,  Jerry  ! "  said  Prose,  rubbing  his  hands.  "  We 
shall  get  some  prize-money,  I  do -declare." 

"To  be  sure  we  shall.  It  will  give  us  twenty  pounds  at 
least  for  a  midshipman's  share,  for  her  ccrgo  must  be  sugar 
and  coffee.  Only,  confound  it,  one  has  to  wait  so  long  for 
it.  I'll  sell  mine,  dog-cheap,  if  any  one  will  buy  it.  Will 
you,  Prose  ?  " 

"  Why,  Jerry,  I  don't  much  like  speculation  ;  but,  now,  what 
would  you  really  sell  your  chance  for  ?  " 

"  I'll  take  tdh  pounds  for  it.  We're  certain  to  come  up 
with  her." 

"  Ten  pounds  !  No,  Jerry,  that  is  too  much.  I'll  tell  you 
what,  I'll  give  you  five  pounds." 

"  Done,"  replied  Jerry,  who  was  aware  that  a  vessel  in 

ballast  would  not  give  him  thirty  shillings,  if  Captain  \I 

sent  her  in,  which  was  very  unlikely.  "  Where's  the 
money  ?  " 

"  Oh,  you  must  trust  to  my  honour ;  the  first  port  we  go 
into,  I  pledge  you  my  word  that  you  shall  havejt." 

"  I  don't  doubt  your  word,  or  your  honour,  the  least, 
Prose ;  but  still  I  should  like  to  have  the  money  in  my 
hand.  Could  you  not  borrow  it  ?  Never  mind  —  it's  a 
bargain." 

In  two  hours  the  frigate  had  neared  the  stranger  so  as  to 
distinguish  her  water-line  from  the  deck,  and  on  hoisting 
her  ensign  and  pendant  the  vessel  bore  down  to  her. 

"She  has  hoisted  English  colours,  sir,"  reported  Stewart 
to  the  captain. 

«  What,  Stewart !  did  you  say  that  she  had  hoisted  English 
colours  ?  "  inquired  Prose,  with  an  anxious  face. 

"  Yes,  you  booby,  I  did." 

"Well,  now,  I  do  declare,"  cried  Prose,  with  dismay,  "if 
I  haven't  lost  five  pounds." 

The  vessel  ran  under  the  stern  of  the  frigate,  and  re- 
quested a  boat  to  be  sent  on  board,  as  she  had  intelligence 
to  communicate.  The  boat  returned,  and  acquainted  Captain 

M that  the  vessel  had  been  boarded  and  plundered  by 

a  French   privateer   schooner,    which  had   committed  great 

depredation  in  that  quarter,  and  that  it  was  not  above  eight 

hours  that   she  had  left  her  and   made  sail  towards   Porto 

188 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

Rico,  taking  out  two  merchants,  who  were  passengers.  The 
boat  was  immediately  hoisted  up,  and  all  sail  made  in  the 
direction  of  the  island,  which  was  not  above  fifteen  leagues 
distant.  As  the  day  closed  in,  their  eyes  were  gratified  by 
the  sight  of  the  schooner,  becalmed  close  in  under  the  land. 
Perceiving  the  frigate  in  pursuit  of  her,  and  unable  to  escape, 
she  came  to  an  anchor  in  a  small  and  shallow  bay,  within 

a  cable's  length  of  the  beach.  Captain  M ,  having  run 

his  ship  as  close  in  as  the  depth  of  water  would  permit, 
which  was  between  two  and  three  miles  of  her,  so  as  to 
render  her  escape  impossible,  came  to  an  anchor,  signifying 
to  his  officers  his  determination  to  cut  her  out  with  his  boats 
on  the  ensuing  day. 

The  officers  who  were  to  be  entrusted  with  the  command 
of  the  boats,  and  the  crews  which  were  to  be  employed 
on  the  service,  were  selected,  and  mustered  on  the  quarter- 
deck previous  to  the  hammocks  being  piped  down,  that 
the  former  might  hold  themselves  in  readiness,  and  that 
the  latter  might  remain  in  their  hammocks  during  the 
night.  All  was  anxiety  for  the  sun  to  rise  again  upon  those 
who  were  about  to  venture  in  the  lottery,  where  the  prizes 
would  be  honour,  and  the  blanks — death.  There  wrere  but 
few  whose  souls  were  of  that  decided  brute  composition  that 
they  could  sleep  through  the  whole  of  the  tedious  night. 
They  woke  and  "swore  a  prayer  or  two,  then  slept  again.  ' 
The  sun  had  not  yet  made  his  appearance  above  the  horizon, 
although  the  eastern  blush  announced  that  the  spinning 
earth  would  shortly  whirl  the  Aspasia  into  his  presence, 
when  the  pipes  of  the  boatswain  and  his  mates,  with  the 
summons  of  "  All  hands  ahoy — up  all  hammocks ! "  were 
obeyed  with  the  alacrity  so  characteristic  of  English  seamen 
anticipating  danger.  The  hammocks  were  soon  stowed, 
and  the  hands  turned  up.  "  Out  boats  !  "  The  yard  tackles 
and  stays  were  hooked,  and  the  larger  boats  from  the  booms 
descended  with  a  heavy  splash  into  the  water,  which  they 
threw  out  on  each  side  of  them  as  they  displaced  it  with 
their  weight ;  while  the  cutters  from  the  quarter-davits 
were  already  lowered  down,  and  were  being  manned  under 
the  cheins. 

Broad  daylight  discovered  the  privateer,  who,  aware  of 
their  intentions,  had  employed  the  night  in  taking  every 
189 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

precaution  that  skill  could  suggest  to  repel  the  expected 
attack ;  secured  with  cables  and  hawsers,  extending  from 
each  bow  and  quarter — her  starboard  broadside  directed  to 
seaward — her  boarding  netting  triced  up  to  the  lower 
rigging — and  booms,  connected  together,  rigged  out  from 
the  sides,  to  prevent  them  from  laying  her  on  board.  There 
was  no  wind  ;  the  sea  was  smooth  as  glass ;  and  the  French 
colours,  hoisted  in  defiance  at  each  masthead,  hung  listlessly 
down  the  spars,  as  if  fainting  for  the  breeze  which  would 
expand  them  in  their  vigour.  She  was  pierced  for  eight 
ports  on  a  side ;  and  the  guns,  which  pointed  through  them, 
with  the  tompions  out,  ready  to  shower  destruction  upon 
her  assailants,  showed  like  the  teeth  of  the  snarling  wolf 
who  stands  at  bay,  awaiting  the  attack  of  his  undaunted 
pursuers. 

The  boats  had  received  their  guns,  which  were  fixed  on 
slides,  so  as  to  enable  them  to  be  fired  over  the  bows  without 
impeding  the  use  of  the  oars ;  the  ammunition  and  arm- 
chests  had  been  placed  in  security  abaft. 

The  sailors,  with  their  cutlasses  belted  round  their  waists, 
and  a  pistol  stuck  in  their  girdles,  or  in  a  becket  at  the 
side  of  the  boat,  ready  to  their  hands;  the  marines,  in  pro- 
portion to  the  number  which  each  boat  could  carry,  sitting 
in  the  stern-sheets,  with  their  muskets  between  their  legs, 
and  their  well-pipeclayed  belts  for  bayonet  and  cartouch- 
box  crossed  over  their  old  jackets,  half  dirt,  half  finery — 

all  was  ready  for  shoving  off,  when  Captain  M desired 

the  officers  whom  he  had  appointed  to  the  expedition  to 
step  down  into  his  cabin.  Bully,  the  first  lieutenant,  was 

unwell  with  an  intermittent  fever,  and  Captain  M ,  at 

the  request  of  Macallan,  would  not  accede  to  his  anxiety 
to  take  the  command.  Price,  Courtenay,  Stewart,  and  three 
other  midshipmen  were  those  who  had  been  selected  for 
the  dangerous  service. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  Captain  M ,  as  they  stood  round 

the  table  in  the  fore-cabin  waiting  for  his  communication, 
"  I  must  call  your  attention  to  a  few  points  which  it  is 
my  wish  that  you  should  bear  in  remembrance,  now  that 
you  are  about  to  proceed  upon  what  will,  in  all  likelihood, 
prove  to  be  an  arduous  service.  This  vessel  has  already 
done  so  much  mischief,  that  I  conceive  it  my  duty  to 
190 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

capture  her  if  possible ;  and  although  there  is  no  service 
in  which,  generally  speaking,  there  is  so  great  a  sacrifice 
of  life,  in  proportion  to  the  object  to  be  attained,  as  that 
which  is  generally  termed  f  cutting  out,'  yet  rather  than 
she  should  escape,  to  the  further  injury  of  our  trade,  I  have 
determined  to  have  recourse  to  the  measure. 

"  But,  gentlemen  (and  to  you,  Mr.  Price,  as  commanding 
the  expedition,  I  particularly  address  myself),  recollect 
that,  even  in  this  extreme  case,  without  proper  arrange- 
ment, we  may  not  only  purchase  our  victory  too  dear, 
but  may  even  sacrifice  a  number  of  lives  without  succeed- 
ing in  our  attempt.  Of  your  courage  I  have  not  the  least 
doubt ;  but  let  it  be  remembered,  that  it  is  something 
more  than  mere  animal  courage  which  I  expect  in  the 
behaviour  of  my  officers.  If  nothing  more  were  required, 
the  command  of  these  boats  might  be  as  safely  entrusted 
to  any  of  the  foremast  men,  who,  like  the  bull-dogs  of  our 
country,  will  thrust  their  heads  into  the  lion's  jaw  with 
perfect  indifference. 

"  What  I  require,  and  expect,  and  will  have,  from  every 
officer  who  looks  for  promotion  from  my  recommendation, 
is  what  I  term — -conduct;  by  which  I  would  imply  that 
coolness  and  presence  of  mind  which  enable  him  to  calculate 
chances  in  the  midst  of  danger,  to  take  advantage  of  a 
favourable  opportunity  in  the  heat  of  an  engagement,  and 
to  restrain  the  impetuosity  of  those  who  have  fallen  into  the 
dangerous  error  of  despising  their  enemy.  Of  such  conduct 
the  most  favourable  construction  that  can  be  put  upon  it  is, 
that  it  is  only  preferable  to  indecision. 

"  In  a  service  of  this  description,  even  with  the  greatest 
courage  and  prudence  united,  some  loss  must  necessarily  be 
expected  to  take  place,  and  there  is  no  providing  against  un- 
foreseen accidents  ;  but  if  I  find  that,  by  rash  and  injudicious 
behaviour,  a  greater  sacrifice  is  made  than'  there  is  a  neces- 
sity for,  depend  upon  it  that  I  shall  not  fail  to  let  that  officer 
know  the  high  value  at  which  I  estimate  the  life  of  a  British 
sailor.  With  this  caution  I  shall  now  give  you  my  ideas 
as  to  what  appears  the  most  eligible  plan  of  ensuring  success. 
I  have  made  a  rough  sketch  on  this  paper,  which  will  assist 
my  explanation." 

Capta:n  M then  entered  into  the  plan  of  attack, 

191 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

pointing  out  the  precautions  which  should  be  taken,  &c.,  and 
concluded  by  observing,  that  they  were  by  no  means  to 
consider  themselves  as  fettered  by  what  he  had  proposed, 
but  merely  to  regard  them  as  hints  to  guide  their  conduct, 
if  found  preferable  to  any  others  which  might  be  suggested 
by  the  peculiarity  of  the  service,  and  the  measures  adopted 
by  the  enemy.  The  officers  returned  on  deck,  and  descended 
into  their  respective  boats,  where  they  found  many  of  the 
younger  midshipmen,  who,  although  not  selected  for  the 
service,  had  smuggled  themselves  into  the  boats  that  they 

might   be    participators   in   the    conflict.      Captain    M , 

although  he  did  not  send  them  on  the  service,  had  no 
objection  to  their  going,  and  therefore  pretended  not  to  see 
them  when  hp  looked  over  the  side  and  desired  the  boats 
to  shove  off.  Directly  the  order  was  given,  the  remainder 
of  the  ship's  company  mounted  the  rigging  and  saluted  them 
with  three  cheers. 

The  boats'  crews  tossed  their  oars  white  the  cheers  were 
given,  and  returned  the  same  number.  The  oars  again 
descended  into  the  water,  and  the  armament  pulled  in  for 
the  shore. 


CHAPTER  XXXI 

Conquest  pursues,  where  courage  leads  the  way. 

GARTH. 

J.  HE  glasses  of  Captain  M and  the  officers  who  re- 
mained on  board  of  the  frigate  were  anxiously  pointed 
towards  the  boats,  which  in  less  than  half-an-hour  had  arrived 
within  gun-shot  of  the  privateer.  "There  is  a  gun  from 
her,"  cried  several  of  the  men  at  the  same  moment,  as  the 
smoke  boomed  along  the  smooth  water.  The  shot  dashed 
up  the  spray  under  the  bows  of  the  boats,  and  ricochetting 
over  them,  disappeared  fci  the  wave  about  half  a  mile 
astern. 

The  boats,  which  previously  had  bef$f  pulling  in  all  to- 
gether, and  without  any  particular  order,  now  separated   and 
formed  a  line  abreast,  so  that  there  was  less  chance  of  the 
shot  taking  effect  than  when  they  were  before  en  masse. 
192 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

"Very  good,  Mr.  Price/'  observed  the  captain,  who  had 
his  eye  fixed  on  them  through  his  glass. 

The  boats  continued  their  advance  towards  the  enemy, 
who  fired  her  two  long  guns,  both  of  which  she  had  brought 
over  to  her  starboard  side,  but  though  well  directed,  the 
shot  did  not  strike  any  of  her  assailants. 

"  There's  grape,  sir,"  said  the  master,  as  the  sea  was  torn 
and  ploughed  up  with  it  close  to  the  launch,  which  with 
the  other  boats  was  now  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the 
privateer. 

"The  launch  returns  her  fire,"  observed  Captain  M . 

"  And  there's  blaze  away  from  the  pinnace  and  the  barge," 
cried  one  of  the  men,  who  stood  on  the  rattlings  ef  the 
main  rigging.  "  Hurrah,  my  lads  '  keep  it  up,"  continued 
the  man  in  his  feeling  of  excitement,  which,  pervading 

Captain  M as  well  as  the  rest  of  the  crew,  received 

no  check,  though  not  exactly  in  accordance  with  the  strict 
routine  of  the  service. 

The  combat  now  became  warm ;  gun  after  gun  from  the 
privateer  was  rapidly  fired  at  the  boats,  who  were  taking 
their  stations  previous  to  a  simultaneous  rush  to  board. 
The  pinnace  had  pulled  away  towards  the  bow  of  the 
privateer;  the  barge  had  taken  up  a  position  on  the 
quarter ;.  the  launch  remained  on  her  beam,  firing  round 
and  grape  from  her  eighteen-pounder  carronade  with  a 
rapidity  that  almost  enajbtled  her  to  return  gun  for  gun  to 
her  superiorly-armed  antagonist.  Both  the  cutters  were 
under  her  stern,  keeping  up  an  incessant  fire  of  musketry, 
with  which  they  were  now  close  enough  to  annoy  the 
enemy. 

"  A  gun  from  the  rock  close  to  the  barge,  sir ! "  reported 
the  signalman. 

"I  expeete.d  as  much,"  observed  Captain  M to  the 

officers  standing  near  him. 

"One  of  the  cutters  has  winded,  sir;  she's  stretching 
out  for  the  shore,"  cried  the  master 

"  Bravo  ! — that's  decided — and  without  waiting  for  orders. 
Who  commands  that  boat  ?  "  inquired  Captain  M . 

"  It's  the  first  cutter — Mr  Stewart,  sir." 

The  cutter  was  on  shore  before  the  gun  could  be  re- 
loaded and  fired  a  second  time.  The  crew,  with  the 
193  N 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

officer  at  their  head,  were  seen  to  clamber  up  the  rock. 
In  a  minute  they  returned,  and  jumping  into  the  boat, 
pulled  off  to  give  their  aid  to  the  capture  of  the  vessel. 

"  He  has  spiked  the  gun,  I  am  certain,"  observed  Captain 

Before  the  cutter  could  regain  her  station,  the  other 
boats  were  summoned  by  the  bugle  in  the  launch,  and 
with  loud  cheering,  pulled  up  together  to  the  attack. 
The  booms  which  had  been  rigged  out  to  prevent  them 
from  coming  alongside,  already  shot  through  by  the  grape 
from  the  launch,  offered  but  little  resistance  to  the  impetus 
with  which  the  boats  were  forced  against  them ;  they 
either  broke  in  two,  or  sank  under  water. 

"  There's  board  ! — Hurrah  !  "  cried  all  the  men  who  re- 
mained in  the  Aspasia,  cheering  those  who  heard  them  not. 

But  I  must  transport  the  reader  to  the  scene  of  slaughter ; 
for  if  he  remains  on  board  of  the  Aspasia,  he  will  distinguish 
nothing  but  fire  and  smoke.  Don't  be  afraid,  ladies,  if  I 
take  you  on  board  of  the  schooner — -"  these  our  actors  are 
all  air,  thin  air,"  raised  by  the  magic  pen  for  your  amuse- 
ment. Come,  then,  fearlessly  with  me  and  view  the 
scene  of  mortal  strife.  The  launch  has  boarded  on  the 
starboard  gangway,  and  it  is  against  her  that  the  crew  of 
the  privateer  have  directed  their  main  efforts. 

The  boarding  nettings  cannot  be  divided,  and  the  men 
are  thrown  back,  wounded  or  dead,  into  the  boat.  The 
crew  of  the  pinnace  are  attempting  the  bows  with  in- 
different success.  Some  have  already  fallen  a  sacrifice  to 
their  valour ;  none  have  yet  succeeded  in  gaining  a  foot- 
ing on  deck,  while  the  marines  are  resisting  with  their 
bayonets  the  thrusts  of  the  boarding  pikes  which  are  pro- 
truded through  the  ports.  Courtenay  has  not  yet  boarded 
in  the  barge,  for  on  pulling  up  on  the  quarter  he  perceived 
that,  on  the  larboard  side  of  the  vessel,  the  boarding  nettings 
had  either  been  neglected  to  be  properly  triced  up,  or 
had  been  cut  away  by  the  fire  from  the  boats.  He  has 
pushed  alongside  to  take  advantage  of  the  opening,  and 
the  two  cutters  have  followed  him.  They  board  with 
little  resistance  —  the  enemy  are  too  busy  repelling  the 
attacks  on  the  other  side — and  as  his  men  pour  upon 
the  privateer's  deck,  the  crews  of  the  launch  and  pinnace, 
194 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

tired  with  their  vain  endeavours  to  divide  the  nettings, 
and  rendered  desperate  by  their  loss,  have  run  up  the  fore 
and  main  rigging  above  the  nettings  and  thrown  themselves 
down,  cutlass  in  hand,  into  the  melee  below,  careless  of 
the  points  of  the  weapons  which  may  meet  them  in  their 
descent.  Now  is  the  struggle  for  life  or  death  ! 

Courtenay,  who  was  daring  as  man  could  be,  but  not  of 
a  very  athletic  frame,  reclimbed  from  the  main  chains  of 
the  vessel,  into  which  he  had  already  once  fallen,  from 
one  of  his  own  seamen  having  inadvertently  made  use  of 
his  shoulder  as  a  step  to  assist  his  own  ascent.  He  was 
overtaken  by  Robinson,  the  coxswain  of  the  cutter,  who 
sprang  up  with  all  the  ardour  and  activity  of  an  English 
sailor  who  "meant  mischief,"  and  pleased  with  the  energy 
of  his  officer  (forgetting  at  the  moment  the  respect  due 
to  his  rank),  called  out  to  him  by  the  sobriquet  with  which 
he  had  been  christened  by  the  men — "  Bravo,  Little  Bilious  ! 
that's  your  sort." 

"  What's  that,  sir  ?  "  cried  Courtenay,  making  a  spring  so 
as  to  stand  on  the  plane-sheer  of  the  vessel  at  the  same 
moment  with  the  coxswain,  and  seizing  him  by  the  collar — 
"  I  say,  Robinson,  what  do  you  mean  by  calling  me  '  Little 
Bilious  '  ?  "  continued  the  lieutenant,  wholly  regardless  of  the 
situation  they  were  placed  in.  The  coxswain  looked  at  him 
with  surprise,  and  at  the  same  moment  parried  off  with 
his  cutlass  a  thrust  of  a  pike  at  Courtenay,  which  in  all 
probability  would  otherwise  have  prevented  his  asking  any 
more  questions  ;  then  without  making  any  answer,  sprang 
down  on  the  deck  into  the  midst  of  the  affray. 

"  You,  Robinson,  come  back,"  cried  Courtenay  after  him. 
"  D — d  annoying — Little  Bilious,  indeed  ! "  continued  he,  as, 
following  the  example  of  the  coxswain,  he  proceeded  to  vent 
his  bile,  for  the  present,  on  the  heads  of  the  Frenchmen. 

In  most  instances  of  boarding,  but  more  especially  in 
boarding  small  vessels,  there  is  not  much  opportunity  for 
what  is  termed  hand-to-hand  fighting.  It  is  a  rush  for  the 
deck ;  breast  to  breast,  thigh  to  thigh,  foot  to  foot,  man 
wedged  against  man,  so  pressed  on  by  those  behind  that 
there  is  little  possibility  of  using  your  cutlass  except  by 
driving  your  antagonist's  teeth  down  his  throat  with  the  hilt. 
Gunshot  wounds,  of  course,  take  place  throughout  the  whole 
195 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

of  the  combat,  but  those  from  the  sabre  and  the  cutlass  are 
generally  given  and  received  before  the  close,  or  after  the 
resistance  of  one  party  has  yielded  to  the  pertinacity  and 
courage  of  the  other.  The  crews  of  the  barge  and  cutters 
having  gained  possession  of  the  deck  in  the  rear  of  the 
enemy,  the  affair  was  decided  much  sooner  than  it  other- 
wise would  have  been ;  for  the  French  fought  with  despera- 
tion, and  were  commanded  by  a  most  gallant  and  enterprising 
captain.  In  three  minutes  the  crew  of  the  privateer  were 
either  beaten  below  or  forced  overboard,  and  the  colours 
hauled  down  from  the  mast-heads  announced  to  Captain 

M and  the  rest  of  the  Aspasias  crew  the  welcome 

intelligence  that  the  privateer  was  in  the  possession  of 
their  gallant  shipmates.  The  hatches  were  secured,  and  the 
panting  Englishmen  for  a  few  minutes  desisted  from  their 
exertions  that  they  might  recover  their  breath ;  after  which 
Price  gave  directions  for  the  cables  and  hawser  to  be  cut, 
and  the  boats  to  go  ahead  and  tow  the  vessel  out. 

"  They  are  firing  musketry  from  the  shore ;  they've  just  hit 
one  of  our  men,"  said  the  coxswain  of  the  pinnace. 

"Then  cast  off,  and  bring  your  gun  to  bear  astern.  If 
you  do  not  hit  them,  at  least  they  will  not  be  so  steady 
in  their  aim.  As  soon  as  we  are  out  of  musket-shot,  pull 
out  to  us." 

The  order  was  executed,  whilst  the  other  boats  towed  the 
privateer  towards  the  frigate.  In  a  few  minutes  they  were 
out  of  musket-shot ;  the  pinnace  returned,  and  they  had 
leisure  to  examine  into  the  loss  which  they  had  sustained 
in  the  conflict. 

The  launch  had  suffered  most;  nine  of  her  crew  were 
either  killed  or  wounded.  Three  seamen  and  four  marines 
had  suffered  in  the  other  boats.  Twenty-seven  of  the 
privateer's  men  were  stretched  on  the  decks,  either  dead  or 
unable  to  rise.  Those  who  had  not  been  severely  hurt  had 
escaped  below  with  the  rest  of  the  crew. 

Price  was  standing  at  the  wheel,  his  sabre  not  yet 
sheathed,  with  Courtenay  at  his  side,  when  his  inveterate 
habit  returned,  and  he  commenced — 

" '  I  do  remember,  when  the  fight  was  done '  " 

"So  do  I,  and  devilish  glad  that  it's  over,"  cried  Jerry, 
coming  forward  from  the  taffrail  with  a  cutlass  in  hand, 
19(5 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

which,  although  he  could  wield,  he  could  certainly  not  have 
done  much  execution  with. 

"  Why,  how  came  you  here,  Mr.  Jerry  ?  "  inquired  Courtenay. 

"  Oh  !  Stewart  brought  me  in  his  boat,  with  the  hopes  of 
getting  rid  of  me;  but  I  shall  live  to  plague  him  yet." 

"  You  are  not  hurt,  Seymour,  I  hope  ? "  said  Price  to  our 
hero,  who  now  joined  the  party,  and  whose  clothes  were 
stained  with  blood. 

"  No,"  replied  Seymour,  smiling.  "  It's  not  my  blood — it's 
Stewart's.  I  have  been  binding  up  his  head ;  he  has  a  very 
deep  cut  on  the  forehead,  and  a  musket-ball  in  his  neck,  but 
I  think  neither  of  the  wounds  is  of  much  consequence." 

"Where  is  he?" 

"  In  the  cutter.  I  desired  them  to  put  the  wounded  men 
in  her,  out  of  the  launch,  and  to  pull  on  board  at  once. 
Was  not  I  right  ?  " 

"  Yes,  most  assuredly.     I  should  have  thought  of  it  myself." 

"  Well,  Jerry,"  said  Seymour,  laughing,  "  how  many  did 
you " 

"  I  did  not  count  them ;  but  if  you  meet  with  any  chaps 
with  deeper  wounds  than  usual,  put  them  down  to  me.  Do 
you  know,  Mr.  Price,  you  are  more  indebted  to  me  than  you 
may  imagine  for  the  success  of  this  affair  ?  " 

"  How,  Mr.  Jerry  ?  I  should  like  to  know,  that  I  may 
prove  my  gratitude  ;  '  eleven  out  of  the  thirteen '  you  paid, 
I've  no  doubt." 

"  It  was  not  altogether  that — I  frightened  them  more 
than  I  hurt  them ;  for  when  they  would  have  returned  the 
blows  from  this  stalwart  arm,"  said  Jerry,  holding  out  the 
member  in  question,  which  was  about  the  thickness  of  a 
large  carrot,  "  I  immediately  turned  edgeways  to  them,  and  was 
invisible.  They  thought  that  they  had  to  deal  with  either  a 
ghost  or  a  magician,  and,  depend  upon  it,  it  unnerved  them." 

"'  Approach  thou  like' — what  is  it?"  resumed  Price;  "some- 
thing— '  Hence,  horrible  shadow,  unreal  mockery,  hence  ! '  " 

"  Pretty  names  to  be  called  in  reward  of  my  services," 
cried  Jerry.  "  I  presume  this  is  a  specimen  of  the  gratitude 
you  were  talking  about.  Well,  after  all,  to  take  a  leaf  out 
of  your  book,  Mr.  Price,  I  consider  that  the  better  part  of 
valour  is  discretion.  Now,  that  fellow  Stewart,  he  actually 
gave  them  his  head  to  play  with,  and  I  am  not  sorry  that 
197 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

he  has  had  it  broken,  for  I  calculate  that  I  shall  be  saved 
at  least  a  dozen  thrashings  by  some  of  his  hot  blood  being 
let  out — '  the  King's  poor  cousin  ' '  ~ 

"  By-the-bye,  I  quite  forgot — where's  Robinson,  the  cox- 
swain of  the  cutter  ?  "  demanded  Courtenay. 

"  Between  the  guns  forward  — seriously  hurt,  poor  fellow,  I 
am  afraid,"  answered  Seymour. 

"  I'm  very  sorry  for  that — I'll  go  and  see  him — I  wish  to 
speak  with  him,"  replied  Courtenay,  walking  forward. 

Robinson  was  lying  near  the  long  brass  gun,  which  was 
pointed  out  of  the  foremost  port,  his  head  pillowed  upon 
the  body  of  the  French  captain,  who  had  fallen  by  his  hand 
just  before  he  had  received  his  mortal  wound.  A  musket- 
ball  had  entered  his  groin  and  divided  the  iliac  artery ;  he 
was  bleeding  to  death — nothing  could  save  him.  The  cold 
perspiration  on  his  forehead  and  the  glassy  appearance  of 
his  eye  too  plainly  indicated  that  he  had  but  a  few  minutes 
to  live.  Courtenay,  shocked  at  the  condition  of  the  poor 
fellow,  who  was  not  only  the  most  humorous,  but  one  of 
the  ablest  seamen  in  the  ship,  knelt  down  on  one  knee 
beside  him  and  took  his  hand. 

"  How  do  you  feel,  Robinson  ?  are  you  in  much  pain  ?  " 

"None  at  all,  sir,  thank  ye,"  replied  the  man  faintly; 
"but  the  purser  may  chalk  me  down  DD.  as  soon  as  he 
pleases.  I  suppose  he'll  cheat  government  out  of  our  day's 
grub  though,"  continued  the  man,  with  a  smile. 

Courtenay,  aware  of  the  truth  of  the  first  observation, 
thought  it  no  kindness  to  attempt  to  deceive  a  dying  man 
with  hopes  of  recovery  in  his  last  moments ;  he  therefore 
continued  :  "  Can  I  be  of  any  service  to  you,  Robinson  ?  Is 
there  anything  I  can  do  when  you  are  gone  ?  " 

"Nothing  at  all,  sir.  I've  neither  chick  nor  child,  nor 
relation  that  I  know  of.  Yes,  there  is  one  thing,  sir,  but 
it's  on  the  bloody  side :  the  key  of  the  mess  chest  is  in  my 
trousers  pocket ;  I  wish  you'd  recollect  to  have  it  taken 
out  and  given  to  John  Williams — you  must  wait  till  I'm 
dead,  for  I  can't  turn  myself  just  now." 

"  It  shall  be  attended  to,"  replied  Courtenay. 

"  And,  Mr.  Courtenay,  remember  me  to  the  captain." 

"  Is  there  anything  else  ?  "  continued  Courtenay,  who  per- 
ceived that  the  man  was  sinking  rapidly. 
198 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"Nothing — nothing,  sir,"  replied  Robinson  very  faintly. 
"Good-bye,  God  bless  you,  sir;  I'm  going  fast  now." 

"  But,  Robinson,"  said  Courtenay,  in  a  low,  soothing  voice, 
bending  nearer  to  him,  "  tell  me,  my  good  fellow — I  am  not  the 
least  angry — tell  me,  why  did  you  call  me  '  Little  Bilious  '  ?  " 

The  man  turned  his  eyes  up  to  him,  and  a  smile  played  upon 
his  features,  as  if  he  were  pleased  with  the  idea  of  disappointing 
the  curiosity  of  his  officer.  He  made  no  answer ;  his  head 
fell  back,  and  in  a  few  seconds  he  had  breathed  his  last. 

"  Poor  fellow,  he  is  gone  !  "  said  Courtenay  with  a  deep  sigh, 
as  he  rose  up  from  the  body.  "  Never  answered  my  question 
too.  Well,"  continued  he,  as  he  walked  slowly  aft,  "now 
that's  what  I  consider  to  be  most  excessively  annoying." 

By  this  time  the  privateer  had  been  towed  under  the  stern 
of  the  frigate,  and  a  hawser  was  sent  on  board  to  secure  her 
astern.  Price  and  the  other  officers  returned  on  board,  where 

they  were  well  received  by  Captain  M ,  who  thanked  them 

for  their  exertions.  The  wounded  had  been  some  time  under 
the  hands  of  Macallan,  and  fresh  crews  having  been  ordered 
into  the  boats,  they  returned  to  the  privateer.  The  hatches 
were  taken  off  and  the  prisoners  removed  to  the  frigate. 

The  name  of  the  prize  was  the  Estelle,  of  two  hundred 
tons  burthen,  mounting  fourteen  guns,  and  having  on  board, 
at  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  her  full  complement  of 
one  hundred  and  twenty-five  men. 


CHAPTER  XXXII 

Many  with  trust,  with  doubt  few  are  undone. 

LORD  BEOOK. 

Doubt  wisely  :  in  strange  way 
To  stand  inquiring  right,  is  not  to  stray  ; 
To  run  wrong,  is. 

DONNE. 

WHEN  the  hatches  were  taken  off  on  board  of  the 
privateer,  the  prisoners,  as  they  came  up,  were  handed  into 
the  boats.  Jerry  stood  at  the  hatchway,  with  his  cutlass  in 
his  hand,  making  his  sarcastic  remarks  upon  them  as  they 
199 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

appeared.  A  short  interval  had  elapsed  after  it  was  sup- 
posed that  everybody  had  come  from  below,  when  a  tall, 
thin  personage,  in  the  dress  of  a  landsman,  crawled  up  the 
hatchway. 

"  Halloo  ! "  cried  Jerry ;  "  Mr.  Longtogs,  who  have  we 
here  ?  Why,  he  must  be  the  padre.  I  say,  mounseer,  je 
very  much  suspect  <jue  vous  $tes  what  they  call  a  Father 
Confessor,  n'est-ce  pas  ?  Devilish  good  idea.  A  privateer 
with  a  parson  !  What's  your  pay,  mounseer  ?  —  a  tenth,  of 
course.  Little  enough  too  for  looking  after  the  souls  of  such 
a  set  of  d — d  rascals.  Well,  mounseer,  vous  ctes  prisonnier, 
without  benefit  of  clergy,  so  hop  into  that  boat.  Why,  con- 
found it,  here's  another  1"  continued  Jerry,  as  a  second  made 
his  appearance.  "  He's  the  clerk,  of  course,  as  he  follows  the 
parson.  Come,  Mont'  Arrivo  Jack  1  What  a  cock-eye  the 
rascal  has  ! " 

During  this  elegant  harangue,  which  was  certainly  meant 
for  his  own '  amusement  more  than  for  their  edification, 
as  Jerry  had  no  idea  but  that  they  were  belonging  to  the 
privateer,  and  of  course  could  riot  comprehend  him,  both 
the  parties  looked  at  him,  and  at  each  other,  with  astonish- 
ment, until  the  first  who  had  appeared  addressed  the 
latter  with,  "  I  say,  Paul,  did  you  ever  see  such  a  thing 
before  ?  D — n  it,  why  he's  like  a  sixpenny  fife — more  noise 
than  substance." 

Jerry  at  once  perceived  his  mistake,  and  recollected  that 
the  master  of  the  vessel  which  they  had  boarded  had 
mentioned  that  two  English  merchants  had  been  taken  out 
of  her  by  the  privateer  with  the  hopes  of  ransom;  but 
nettled  with  the  remark  which  had  been  made,  he  retorted 
with — 

"  Well,  I'd  recommend  you  not  to  attempt  to  play  upon 
me,  that's  all." 

"  No,  I  don't  mean,  for  I  should  only  make  you  squeak  " 

""You  are  the  two  gentlemen  who  were  detained  by  the 
privateer,  I  presume,"  said  Pearce,  the  master,  who  had 
come  on  board  to  superintend  the  necessary  arrangements 
previous  to  her  being  sent  in. 

"  We  are,  sir,  and  must  introduce  ourselves.  My  name  is 
Mr.  Peter  Capon  ;  that  of  my  friend,  designated  by  that 
young  gentleman  as  Cock-eye,  is  Mr.  Paul  Contract.  Will 
200 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

you  oblige  us  with  a  boat  to  go  on  board  of  the  frigate,  that 
we  may  speak  to  the  captain?" 

"  Most  certainly.  Jump  into  the  first  cutter  there.  I  am 
sorry  you  have  been  so  unpleasantly  situated,  gentlemen. 
Why  did  not  you  come  on  deck  before  ?  " 

Peter  did  not  state  the  real  ground,  which  was  to  secure 
their  property,  which  was  below,  from  being  plundered  by 
the  privateer's  crew ;  but  wishing  to  pay  off  Jerry  for  his 
impertinence,  replied — 

"Why,  we  did  look  up  the  hatchway  several  times,  but 
there  was  something  so  awful,  and,  I  may  say  so,  un-English- 
like,  in  the  appearance  of  that  officer,  with  his  drawn  sword, 
that  we  were  afraid  ;  we  could  not  imagine  into  whose 
hands  the  vessel  had  fallen — we  thought  it  had  been  captured 
by  the  Yahoos." 

"  Houyhnhnms,  more  likely.  You'll  find  I'm  -a  bit  of  a 
horse,"  replied  Jerry,  in  a  passion. 

"  By  Jove,  then,  you're  only  fit  for  the  hounds,"  observed 
the  gentleman  with  oblique  vision  ;  "  I  should  order  you " 

"Would  you?  Well,  now  I'll  order  you,  sir,"  replied  the 
youngster,  whose  anger  made  Jiim  quite  forget  the  presence 
of  his  commanding  officer — "  have  the  goodness  to  step  into 
that  boat." 

"  And  I  shall  order  you,  Mr.  J ,"  observed  the  master, 

with  asperity — "  I  order  you  to  go  into  that  boat,  and  take 
these  gentlemen  on  board,  and  to  hold  your  tongue." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir.  This  way,  sir,"  said  Jerry  to  Mr.  Peter, 
making  him  a  polite  bow,  and  pointing  to  the  boat  at  the 
gangway;  "in  that  direction,  sir,  if  you  please,"  continued 
Jerry,  bowing  to  Mr.  Paul,  and  pointing  to  the  quarter  of 
the  vessel. 

" And  why  in  that  direction,  sir ? "  observed  Pau) ;  "I  am 
going  on  board  of  the  frigate." 

"  I  know  it,  sir ;  it  was  considerate  on  my  part :  I  was 
allowing  for  the  angle  of  obliquity  in  your  vision.  You  would 
have  exactly  fetched  the  boat." 

The  indignation  of-  Mr  Paul  was  now  at  its  height ;  and 
Pearce,  the  master,  who  was  much  annoyed  at  Jerry's  ex- 
cessive impertinence,  which  he  knew  Captain  M would 

never  have  overlooked,  detained  the  boat  for  a  minute  while 

h-s  wrote  a  few  lines  to  Price,  requesting  him  to  send  the 

201 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

bearer  of  it  to  the  masthead,  upon  delivery,  for  his  imper- 
tinent conduct.  "  Mr.  J ,  take  this  on  board,  and  deliver 

it  from  me  to  the  commanding  officer." 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,"  replied  Jerry.     "Shove  ofFthere^  forward." 

Mr.  Peter  looked  Jerry  earnestly  in  his  face  for  some  time 
as  they  were  pulling  on  board. 

"  Well  now,  d — n  it,  I  like  you,  if  it's  only  for  your  excessive 
impudence." 

"  A  negative  sort  of  commendation,  but  I  believe  it  the 
only  one  that  he  has,"  replied  the  other,  in  a  surly  tone. 

"  Highly  flattered,  sir,"  replied  Jerry  to  Mr.  Peter,  "  that 
you  should  perceive  anything  to  induce  you  to  like  me ;  but 
I  am  sorry  I  cannot  return  the  compliment,  for  I  really  can- 
not perceive  anything  to  like  you  for.  As  for  your  friend 
there,  I  can  only  say  that  I  detest  all  crooked  ways. — In  bow 
forward ! — way  enough.  Now,  gentlemen,  with  your  per- 
mission, I'll  show  you  the  road,"  said  the  youngster,  climbing 
up  the  side. 

Jerry,  who  had  some  suspicion  that  the  note  was  not  in  his 
favour,  took  the  liberty,  as  it  was  neither  sealed  nor  wafered, 
of  reading  it  under  the  half-deck  while  Price  was  showing 
the  two  gentlemen  into  the  cabin.  Not  to  deliver  a  note  on 

service  was  an  offence  for  which  Captain  M would  have 

dismissed  him  from  the  ship;  but  to  be  perched  up,  like 
a  monkey,  at  the  masthead,  in  the  afternoon,  after  having 
fought  like  a  man  in  the  morning,  was  very  much  against  the 
grain.  At  any  other  time  he  would  have  cared  little  about 
it.  He  went  upon  deck  again,  where  he  found  Prose  on  the 
gangway.  "Well,  Prose,  my  boy,  how  are  you  ?  " 

"  Why,  upon  my  soul,  Jerry,  I  am  tired  to  death.  Seven 
times  have  I  been  backward  and  forward  to  that  abominable 
privateer,  and  now  my  tea  is  ready,  and  I  am  ordered  to  go 
again  for  these  gentlemen's  things." 

"  Well,  that  is  hard.  I  will  go  for  you,  Prose,  shall  I  ? 
Where's  the  boat?" 

"  All  ready,  alongside.  Well,  now,  it's  very  kind  of  you, 
Jerry,  I  do  declare." 

Jerry  laid  hold  of  the  man-ropes,  and  began  to  descend 
the  side ;  and  then,  as  if  recollecting  himself  of  a  sudden, 
said,  "Oh.  by-the-bye,  I  had  nearly  forgot      Here's  a  note 
from  the  master  to  Mr.  Price.     Give  it  him,  Prose." 
202 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Yes,  Jerry,  I  will,"  replied  Prose,  walking  over  to  the 
side  of  the  quarter-deck  where  Price  was  carrying  on  the 
duty,  while  Jerry  made  all  the  haste  he  could,  and  shoved 
off  in  the  boat. 

"A  note,  sir,  from  Mr.  Pearce,  the  master." 

"Hum,"  said  Price,  running  it  over.  "Mr.  Prose,  go  up 
to  the  masthead,  and  stay  there  till  I  call  you  down." 

"  Sir  !  "  replied  Prose,  aghast. 

"  No  reply,  sir — up  immediately." 

"  Why,  sir,  it  was — 

"  Another  word,  sir,  and  I'll  keep  you  there  all  night," 
cried  Price,  walking  forward  in  furtherance  of  the  duty  he 
was  carrying  on. 

"  Well,  now,  I  do  declare  !  What  have  I  done  ? "  said 
Prose,  with  a  whimpering  voice,  as  he  reluctantly  ascended 
the  main-rigging,  not  unperceived  by  Jerry,  who  was  watch- 
ing the  result  as  he  pulled  on  board  of  the  privateer. 

"  Come  on  board  for  these  gentlemen's  clothes,  sir,"  said 
Jerry,  reporting  himself  to  Mr.  Pearce,  who,  not  a  little  sur- 
prised to  see  him,  inquired — 

"  Did  Mr.  Price  receive  my  note  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir,  he  did." 

"  Why,  I  requested  him  to  masthead  you  ! " 

"Many  thanks,  sir,  for  your  kindness,"  replied  the  young- 
ster, touching  his  hat. 

Pearce,  who  was  annoyed  that  his  request  should  not 
have  been  complied  with,  stated  his  feelings  on  the  subject 
to  Price  when  he  returned  to  the  ship  in  the  evening. 

Price  declared  that  he  had  sent  Prose  to  the  masthead, 
and  had  not  called  him  down  until  eight  o'clock.  The  affair 
was  thus  explained,  and  Jerry  was  pardoned  for  the  ingenuity 
of  his  ruse  de  guerre ;  while  all  the  comfort  that  was  received 
by  the  unfortunate  Prose  was  being  informed,  on  the  ensuing 
morning,  that  it  was  all  a  mistake. 

The  prize  being  now  ready,  Captain  M desired  Courte- 

nay  to  take  charge  of  it,  and  select  two  of  the  midshipmen 
to  accompany  him.  His  choice  fell  upon  Seymour  and  Jerry ; 
the  latter  being  selected  rather  for  his  own  amusement  than 
for  his  qualities  as  an  officer.  The  distance  to  Jamaica,  to 
which  island  he  was  directed  to  proceed,  and  from  thence 
with  his  crew  to  obtain  a  passage  to  Barbadoes,  was  not 
203 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

great,  and  Captain  M did  not  like  to  have  the  frigate 

short-manned ;  he  was  therefore  not  allowed  to  take  more 
than  ten  seamen  with  him,  five  prisoners  being  sent  on 
board  to  assist  in  navigating  the  vessel.  Mr.  Capon  and  Mr. 
Contract,  at  their  own  request,  went  as  passengers. 

In  the  afternoon,  as  soon  as  the  provisions  were  on  board, 
Courtenay  received  his  written  orders,  and  in  a  few  hours 
the  frigate  was  out  of  sight.  They  had  barely  time  to  stow 
away  everything  in  its  place  and  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments, when  a  heavy  N.E.  swell,  and  lowering  horizon,  pre- 
dicted a  continuance  of  the  fair  wind,  and  plenty  of  it.  So 
it  proved ;  the  wind  increased  rapidly,  and  the  men  found 
it  difficult  to  reduce  the  canvas  in  sufficient  time.  Before 
dark  .the  wind  blew  with  considerable  force,  not  steadily, 
but  in  fitful  gusts ;  and  the  sun,  as  he  descended  in  the 
wave,  warned  them,  by  his  red  and  fiery  aspect,  to  prepare 
for  an  increase  of  the  gale.  The  schooner  flew  before  it 
under  her  diminished  sail,  rolling  gunwale-to  in  the  deep 
trough,  or  lurching  heavily  as  her  weather-quarter  was  borne 
up  aloft  by  the  culminating  swell.  All  was  secured  for  the 
night ;  the  watch  was  set,  and  Seymour  walked  the  deck, 
while  Courtenay  and  the  rest  went  below,  and  at  an  early 
hour  retired  to  their  beds. 

Among  other  reasons  for  selecting  our  hero  as  one  of  his 
assistants,  Courtenay  was  influenced  by  his  perfect  knowledge 
of  the  French  language,  which  might  prove  useful  in  communi- 
cating with  the  French  prisoners  who  were  sent  on  board  to 
assist  in  working  the  vessel.  Jerry  had  also  boasted  of  his 
talent  in  that  way,  as  he  wished  to  go  in  the  prize ;  and 
although  the  reader,  from  the  specimen  which  he  has  had, 
may  not  exactly  give  credit  to  his  assertions,  yet  Courtenay, 
who  had  never  heard  him,  believed  that  he  was  pretty  well 
acquainted  with  the  language. 

But  soon  after  they  had  parted  with  the  frigate,  when 
Courtenay  desired  the  French  prisoners  to  lay  hold  of  the 
ropes  and  assist  in  shortening  sail,  they  all  refused.  Seymour 
was  not  on  deck  at  the  time ;  he  had  been  desired  to  super- 
intend the  arrangements  below;  and  although  he  had  been 
informed  of  their  conduct,  he  had  not  yet  spoken  to  the 
prisoners.  Two  of  them  were  sitting  aft  under  the  lee  of 
the  weather-bulwark,  as  Seymour  was  walking  the  deck  to 
204, 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

and  fro.  They  were  in  earnest  conversation  when  Seymour 
stopped  near  to  them,  carelessly  leaning  over  the  weather- 
quarter,  watching  the  long  following  seas,  when  he  overheard 
one  say  to  the  other — "  Taisez,  peut-etre  quil  nous  entend." 
"  Nous  verrons,"  replied  the  other,  who  immediately  rose 
and  addressed  Seymour  in  French  relative  to  the  weather. 
What  he  had  previously  heard  induced  our  hero  to  shake 
his  head  and  continue  to  look  over  the  weather-quarter,  and 
as  Seymour  only  answered  in  the  English  negative  to  a 
further  interrogation,  the  prisoners  did  not  think  it  worth 
while  to  remove  out  of  his  hearing,  but  satisfied  with  his 
not  being  able  to  comprehend  them,  sat  down  again  and 
resumed  their  conversation.  The  lurching  of  the  vessel  was 
a  sufficient  reason  for  not  walking  the  deck ;  but  Seymour, 
to  remove  all  suspicion,  took  another  turn  or  two,  and  then 
again  held  on  by  the  ropes  close  by  the  Frenchmen.  The 
wind  blew  too  fresh  to  permit  him  to  catch  more  than  an 
occasional  sentence  or  two  of  their  conversation ;  but  what 
he  heard  made  him  more  anxious  to  collect  more. 

"  Ils  ne  sont  que  seize,  avec  ce  petit  misere,"  observed  one, 
"  et  nous  sommes — '  Here  the  rest  of  the  sentence  was  lost. 
Seymour  reckoned  up  the  English  on  board,  and  found  that, 
with  Billy  Pitts,  whom  Macallan  had  allowed  Courtenay  to 
take  with  him  as  his  steward,  they  exactly  amounted  to  that 
number.  The  latter  epithet  he  considered,  justly  enough, 
to  be  bestowed  upon  his  friend  Jerry.  A  few  minutes  after- 
wards he  intercepted — "  They'll  throw  us  overboard  if  we 
do  not  succeed ;  we'll  throw  them  overboard  if  we  do." 
"  Courage,  mon  ami,  il  ny  aura  pas  de  difficulte ;  notis  sommes 
trop  forts,"  replied  the  other,  as,  terminating  their  conversa- 
tion, they  rose  and  walked  forward. 

It  was  evident  to  our  hero  that  something  was  in  agitation  ; 
but  at  the  same  time  it  appeared  perfectly  incomprehen- 
sible that  six  prisoners  should  have  even  formed  the  idea  of 
attempting  the  recapture  of  a  vessel  manned  with  sixteen 
Englishmen,  and  that  they  should  consider  themselves  so 
strong  as  to  ensure  success.  Determined  to  report  what  he 
had  heard  to  Courtenay,  Seymour  walked  the  remainder  of 
his  watch,  was  relieved,  and  went  below  to  his  hammock. 

The  wind  had  increased  during  the  night ;  but  as  it  was 
fair,  and  the  sky  clear,  and  the  sun  shone  bright,  the  breeze 
205 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

was  rather  a  matter  of  congratulation  when  they  met  at 
breakfast  in  the  morning,  although  Peter  and  Paul  com- 
plained of  the  violent  motion  of  the  vessel  having  taken 
away  their  appetite.  Seymour  reported  to  Courtenay  the 
fragments  of  the  conversation  which  he  had  overheard ;  and 
insane  as  appeared  to  be  the  idea  of  recapture,  the  latter 
agreed  with  him  that  it  demanded  caution  on  their  parts; 
but  as  it  would  appear  very  opposite  to  the  English  character 
to  take  open  measures  against  six  prisoners,  when  they  were 
so  numerous,  lie  contented  himself  with  desiring  all  the  arms 
and  ammunition  to  be  stowed  in  the  cabin,  and  gave  orders 
that  the  prisoners,  as  they  refused  to  work,  should  not  be 
allowed  to  come  on  deck  after  dusk,  and  then  gave  the 
affair  no  further  thought.  Seymour  was  aware  that,  although 
it  was  his  duty  to  report  the  circumstance,  he  had  no  right 
to  press  the  matter  upon  Courtenay,  who  was  to  be  supposed 
the  best  judge;  still  he  was  not  satisfied.  He  had  an  un- 
accountable foreboding  that  all  was  not  right.  He  turned 
the  subject  in  his  mind  until  dinner  was  announced  by  Billy 
Pitts,  which  put  an  end  to  his  reverie. 

The  violent  jerking  motion  of  the  vessel  made  it  no  easy 
task  to  retain  a  position  at  table,  which  was  securely  lashed 
As  for  placing  on  it  the  whole  of  the  dinner  at  once,  de- 
canters, &c.,  that  would  have  been  certain  destruction ;  a 
plate  and  spoon  for  their  soup  was  all  which  Billy  Pitts,  who 
was  major-domo,  would  trust  them  with.  Paul,  who  was  not 
the  best  sailor  in  the  world,  had  secured  to  himself  the  seat 
to  windward,  and  it  consequently  fell  to  his  lot  to  help  the 
pea-soup,  which  was  placed  at  the  weather-side  of  the  table. 
To  save  time  and  breakage — two  important  things  in  a  sea- 
mess — they  all  held  their  own  plates,  which  they  thrust  in 
towards  the  tureen  from  the  different  quarters  of  the  table 
to  receive  their  supply.  Paul,  having  helped  those  nearest 
to  him,  rose  from  his  chair  that  he  might  see  to  fill  the  plates 
on  the  other  side  of  the  tureen.  He  was  leaning  over,  his 
centre  of  gravity  being  considerably  beyond  the  perpen- 
dicular, when  a  heavy  sea  struck  the  vessel  and  threw  her 
nearly  on  her  beam-ends,  pitching  Paul  right  over  the  table 
to  leeward.  With  the  tureen,  which  he  did  not  forget  to 
take  with  him,  he  flew  into  Jerry's  arms,  and  they  rolled 
together  on  the  floor.  The  contents  of  the  tureen  were 
206 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

rapidly  deposited  in  the  open  bosom  of  Jerry,  who  dis- 
engaged himself  from  the  embraces  of  his  enemy  as  fast  as 
he  could,  amidst  the  laughter  of  his  companions. 

"  Well,  you  asked  for  soup/'  observed  Courtenay. 

"  Yes,  and  my  friend  has  helped  me  very  liberally,"  replied 
Jerry,  who  was  not  at  all  out  of  humour,  except  when  he 
was  foiled  with  his  own  weapons.  In  the  meantime,  Paul, 
who  was  a  little  stunned  with  the  blow  he  had  received  on 
his  head,  had  continued  on  the  floor  rolling  in  the  pea-soup, 
and  was  just  attempting  to  get  on  his  legs. 

"  You've  got  it  all  to  yourself  there,  Mr.  Paul.  As  you 
seem  to  like  it,  perhaps  you  would  prefer  a  spoon,"  said 
Jerry,  offering  him  one  at  the  same  time. 

"  I  say,  Paul,  what  a  capital  harlequin  you  would  make," 
observed  Peter. 

Paul,  who  had  recovered  his  legs,  and  now  clung  on  by 
the  table,  looked  an  answer  horribly  asquint,  as  if  he  did  not 
admire  the  joke  ;  but  he  resumed  his  seat  at  the  table. 

The  remainder  of  the  dinner  was  brought  down  without 
further  accident  occurring ;  and  by  the  time  it  was  over,  as 
the  bottle  had  to  be  passed  round,  and  everybody  was  obliged 
to  drink  off  immediately,  and  put  his  wine-glass  inside  his 
waistcoat  to  save  it  from  perdition,  they  all  were  very  merry 
and  happy  before  the  repast  had  been  concluded.  "There," 
said  Jerry,  stroking  himself  down  when  he  had  finished  his 
cheese,  as  if  he  were  a  Falstaff,  "a  kitten  might  play  with 
me  now." 

"  More  than  one  dare  do  with  me,"  rejoined  Peter,  "  for  I'm 
cursedly  inclined  to  shoot  the  cat." 

But  as  the  second  evening  closed  in,  the  sky  was  loaded 
with  heavy  clouds — the  scud  flew  wildly  past  them — the 
sea  increased  to  mountains  high — and  the  gale  roared 
through  the  rigging  of  the  schooner,  which  was  now  im- 
pelled before  it  under  bare  poles.  They  were  really  in 
danger.  The  hatches  were  battened  down  fore  and  aft — 
the  ports  were  knocked  out  to  allow  the  escape  of  the 
water,  which  poured  over  in  such  volumes  as  would  other- 
wise have  swamped  the  vessel — and  Courtenay  and  his 
crew  remained  on  deck  until  dawn  of  day,  when  the 
violence  of  the  gale  seemed  to  have  abated. 

Courtenav  desired  Seymour  and  Jerry  to  turn  in,  and 
£07 


THE   KING'S   OWN- 

relieve  him  at  eight  o'clock.  Our  hero  and  Jerry  went 
down  into  the  cabin,  where  they  found  the  two  passengers, 
who,  although  they  had  not  come  on  deck  during  the 
night,  had  not  retired  to  bed.  Peter  was  sitting  up  to 
windward  on  the  locker,  looking  very  pale  and  very  sea- 
sick. Paul  was  on  the  cabin-floor,  with  one  hand  holding 
on  by  the  leg  of  the  table,  and  a  bottle  of  brandy  in  the 
other.  His  prayer-book  he  had  abandoned  during  a  fright, 
and  it  was  washing  about  in  the  lee-scuppers.  Jerry  was 
delighted,  but  put  on  a  rueful  face. 

"Well,"  observed  Paul,  who  was  nearly  frightened  out 
of  his  wits,  "  how  is  it  now  ?  " 

"  Worse  and  worse,"  replied  Jerry ;  "  there's  nine  inches 
water  in  the  well." 

"  Oh,  my  God ! "  cried  Paul,  who  was  not  very  au  fait 
at  nautical  technicalities — raising  one  eye  up  to  heaven, 
while  the  other  appeared  to  rest  upon  the  bottle  of 
brandy. 

"  But  why  don't  you  turn  in  ?  "  said  Jerry ;  "  we  can  go 
to  the  bottom  just  as  comfortably  in  bed  as  anywhere  else." 

"  I  agree  with  you,"  replied  Peter,  who  had  often  been 
at  sea,  and  knew  very  well  that  all  was  right  by  the  two 
midshipmen  coming  off  deck.  "My  mother  prophesied 
that  I  never  should  die  in  my  bed,  but  I'm  determined 
that  I  will." 

"You  had  better  turn  in,  Mr.  Paul,"  said  Seymour 
kindly;  "I'll  ring  for  the  steward." 

Billy  Pitt  made  his  appearance.  "By  gad,  gentlemen, 
the  d — d  schooner  under  water." 

"  Under  water  ! "  cried  Paul,  with  dismay.  The  bottle 
was  applied  to  his  mouth,  as  if  he  was  determined  to  leave 
as  little  room  as  possible  for  the  element  which  he  expected 
instantaneously  to  be  struggling  in. 

With  the  assistance  of  Billy,  Paul  was  placed  in  one  of 
the  standing  bed-places  at  the  side  of  the  cabin,  Jerry 
put  his  brandy-bottle  at  the  side  of  his  pillow ;  kindly  in- 
forming him  that  he  would  have  an  opportunity  of  taking 
a  few  more  swigs  before  he  went  down,  for  the  water  was 
only  up  to  her  bends  at  present.  Peter  was  already  in 
the  cot  next  to  him,  and  Seymour  and  Jerry  turned  in, 
without  taking  off  their  clothes,  in  Courtenay's  bed  on  the 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

other  side  of  the  cabin.  Before  they  had  fallen  asleep, 
they  heard  Paul  cry  out,  "  Peter  !  Peter  !  " 

"  Well,  what  do  you  want  ?  " 

"  Do  you  think  there  are  any  hopes  ?  " 

Peter,  who  wished  to  frighten  his  companion,  replied 
gravely,  "I  am  afraid  not;  but,  Paul,  I've  just  been  re- 
flecting upon  the  subject.  Here  we  are,  two  men  con- 
siderably on  the  wrong  side  of  forty.  We  have  enjoyed 
our  youth,  which  is  the  happiest  period  of  our  life.  We 
are  now  fast  descending  the  hill  to  old  age,  decrepitude,  and 
disease — what  avails  a  few  more  years,  allowing  that  we 
are  spared  this  time  ?  Don't  you  perceive  the  comfort  of 
my  observations  ?  " 

Paul  groaned,  and  made  no  answer  ;  but  even  the  creaking 
of  the  timbers  could  not  disguise  the  repeated  cleck-cleck- 
cleck  as  the  brandy  from  the  bottle  gurgled  down  his 
throat 


CHAPTER  XXXIII 

Two  striplings,  lads  more  like  to  run 
Than  to  commit  such  slaughter. 

Cymbdine, 

JL  HE  gales  of  wind  in  the  tropical  climates  are  violent 
while  they  last,  but  are  seldom  of  long  duration.  Such 
was  the  case  in  the  present  instance ;  for  it  subsided  in 
a  few  hours  after  daylight ;  and  the  schooner,  that  had  been 
propelled  before  it,  was  now  sheltered  under  the  lee  of 
the  island  of  St.  Domingo,  and,  with  all  her  canvas  spread, 
was  gliding  through  a  tranquil  sea.  Again  hey  were 
collected  round  the  dinner  table,  to  a  more  quiet  repast 
than  they  had  hitherto  enjoyed  since  they  had  come  or. 
board.  Paul  had  not  quite  recovered  his  spirits,  although 
when  he  went  on  deck,  just  before  the  dinner  was  announced, 
he  was  delighted  at  the  sudden  change  which  had  taken 
place  ;  but  the  mirth  of  his  companions  at  his  expense  was 
not  received  in  very  good  part. 

After   dinner    finding    himself  in    a   better   humour,   he 
209  o 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

turned  to  Peter,  and  addressed  him — "I  say,  Peter,  I  made 
no  answer  to  your  remarks  last  night,  when  we  expected  to 
go  down ;  but  I  have  since  had  time  deliberately  to  weigh 
your  arguments,  and  I  should  like  you  to  explain  to  me 
where  the  comfort  was  that  you  so  strenuously  pointed  out, 
for  hang  me  if  I  can  discover  it." 

Seymour  again  had  charge  of  the  first  watch  ;  and  not- 
withstanding that  the  orders  for  the  prisoners  to  remain 
below  after  dark  had  been  communicated  to  them,  he 
observed  that,  on  one  pretence  or  other,  they  occasionally 
came  on  deck,  and  repeatedly  put  their  heads  above  the 
hatchway.  This  conduct  reminded  him  of  the  conversation 
which  he  had  overheard,  and  again  it  was  the  subject  of 

his  thoughts.  Captain  M had  one  day  observed  to 

him  that  if  there  was  no  duty  going  on,  he  could  not 
employ  himself  in  a  more  useful  manner  when  he  was 
walking  the  deck  than  by  placing  himself,  or  the  ship, 
in  difficult  situations,  and  reflecting  upon  the  most  eligible 
means  of  relief.  "  Depend  upon  it/'  observed  Captain 

M ,  "the  time  will  come  when  you  will  find  it  of  use 

to  you ;  and  it  will  create  for  you  a  presence  of  mind, 
in  a  sudden  dilemma,  which  may  be  the  salvation  of  your- 
self and  the  ship  you  are  in." 

Seymour,  remembering  this  injunction,  reflected  upon 
what  would  be  the  most  advisable  steps  to  take  in  case  of 
the  French  prisoners  attempting  to  recapture  during  his 
watch  on  deck.  That  there  were  but  six  it  was  very  true  ; 
but  at  the  same  time,  during  the  night  watches  there  were 
but  five  English  seamen  and  the  officer  of  the  watch  on 
deck.  Should  the  Frenchmen  have  the  boldness  to -attempt 
to  regain  possession  of  the  vessel,  there  was  no  doubt  that, 
if  the  watch  could  be  surprised,  the  hatches  would  be  secured 
over  those  below.  What  should  be  the  steps,  in  such  a  case, 
that  he  ought  to  take  ? 

Such  were  the  cogitations  of  Seymour  when  midnight  was 
reported,  and  Jerry  was  summoned  to  relieve  the  deck — 
which  he  did  not  do,  relying  upon  our  hero's  good-nature, 
until  past  one  bell.  Up  he  came  with  his  ready  apology, 
"  I  really  beg  your  pardon,  my  dear  fellow,  but  I  had  not  a 
wink  of  sleep  last  night." 

"  Never  mind,  Jerry,  I  am  not  at  all  sleepy.  I  had  been 
210 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

thinking  about  these  French  prisoners — I  cannot  get  their 
conversation  out  of  my  head." 

"  Why,  I  did  not  like  it  myself  when  I  heard  of  it," 
replie'l  Jerry.  "  I  hope  they  won't  attempt  it  in  my  watch ; 
it  would  not  give  them  much  trouble  to  launch  me  over  the 
quarter — I  should  skim  away,  '  flying  light,'  like  a  lady's 
bonnet." 

"  What  would  you  do,  Jerry,  if  you  perceived  them  rush- 
ing aft  to  retake  the  vessel  ? "  inquired  Seymour,  who  was 
aware  of  his  ready  invention. 

"  Skim  up  the  rigging  like  a  lamplighter,  to  be  sure. 
Not  that  it  would  be  of  much  use  if  they  gained  the  day, 
except  to  say  a  few  prayers  before  I  went  astern." 

"  Well,  that  was  my  idea ;  but  I  thought  that  if  one  had 
a  musket  and  ammunition  up  there,  a  diversion  might  be 
created  in  favour  of  those  below^for  the  prisoners  have  no 
firearms." 

"Very  true,"  replied  Jerry;  "we  might  puzzle  them  not 
a  little." 

"  Now,  Jerry,  suppose  we  were  to  take  that  precaution, 
for  I  do  not  like  their  manoeuvres  during  my  watch.  It 
will  do  no  harm,  if  it  does  no  good.  Suppose  you  fetch 
two  muskets  and  cartouch-boxes  from  the  cabin — I'll  take 
one  and  secure  it  in  the  fore-cross-trees,  and  you  do  the 
same  at  the  main ;  for  Courtenay  is  too  proud  to  keep  an 
armed  watch." 

Jerry  agreed  to  the  proposal,  and  brought  up  the  muskets 
and  ammunition.  Seymour  gave  him  a  stout  fox  to  lash  the 
musket ;  and  taking  another  himself,  they  both  ascended  the 
rigging  at  the  same  time,  and  were  busy  securing  the  muskets 
up  and  down  at  the  head  of  the  lower  masts,  when  they  heard 
a  sudden  rush  upon  deck  beneath  them. 

It  was  dark,  though  not  so  dark  but  they  could  distinguish 
what  was  going  on,  and  they  perceived  that  their  thoughts 
had  but  anticipated  the  reality.  "  The  French  are  up !  " 
roared  the  man  at  the  wheel,  to  rouse  those  below,  as  well 
as  the  watch,  who  were  lying  about  the  decks ;  but  to  the 
astonishment  of  the  youngsters  aloft,  as  well  as  of  the  men 
on  deck,  not  six,  but  about  twenty  Frenchmen,  armed  with 
cutlasses,  made  their  appearance.  The  hatches  were  over 
and  secured  in  a  minute  ;  and  the  unarmed  English  on  deck 
211 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

were  then  attacked  by  the  superior  force.  It  was  with 
agonised  feelings  that  Seymour  and  Jerry  heard  the  scuffle 
which  took  place ;  it  was  short  ;  and  plunge  after  plunge 
into  the  water,  alongside,  announced  the  death  of  each 
separate  victim.  The  man  at  the  wheel  struggled  long ; 
he  was  of  an  athletic  frame  ;  but  overpowered  by  numbers, 
he  was  launched  over  the  taffrail.  The  French,  supposing 
that  the  remainder  of  the  crew  were  below,  placed  sentries 
over  the  hatches,  that  they  might  not  be  forced,  and  then 
collected  together  abaft,  altering  the  course  of  the  vessel  for 
St.  Domingo. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  explain  the  sudden  appearance  of 
so  many  Frenchmen.  When  the  captain  of  the  privateer 
was  occupied  during  the  night  previous  to  the  attack  with 
his  several  plans  of  defence,  he  also  arranged  one  for  the 
recapture  of  the  vessel  in  case  of  their  being  overpowered. 
With  this  in  view,  he  had  constructed  a  platform  in  the  hold, 
on  which  a  tier  of  casks  was  stowed,  and  under  which  there 
was  sufficient  space  for  fifteen  or  twenty  men  to  lie  concealed. 
When  the  privateer's  men  had  been  driven  below,  and  the 
hatches  secured  over  them,  fifteen,  armed  with  cutlasses, 
concealed  themselves  in  this  place,  with  the  hopes  of  re- 
capturing the  vessel  from  the  prize-master  after  she  should 
have  parted  company  with  the  frigate.  The  prisoners  who 
had  been  sent  on  board  to  assist  in  navigating  the  schooner 
to  Jamaica,  had  communicated  with  them  unperceived  after 
dark.  As  all  the  English  were  fatigued  from  having  been 
on  deck  during  the  previous  night,  the  middle  watch  was 
proposed  for  the  attempt,  which  had  thus  far  been  attended 
with  success. 

Seymour  and  Jerry  remained  quiet  at  the  mastheads ;  for 
although  they  did  not  attempt  to  communicate  with  each 
other  for  fear  of  discovery,  they  both  rightly  judged  that 
it  would  be  best  to  remain  till  daylight;  by  which  time 
some  plans  would  have  been  formed  by  the  party  below, 
which  their  situation  would  enable  them  materially  to  assist. 
Nearly  four  hours  elapsed  previous  to  the  dawning  of  the 
day,  during  which  interval  Jerry  had  ample  time  to  say  some 
of  those  prayers  which  he  spoke  of,  and  which  it  was  to  be 
supposed  that  they  both  did  not  fail  to  offer  up  in  their 
perilous  situation. 

212 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

As  soon  as  the  day  began  to  break,  Jerry,  who  had  not 
yet  loaded  his  musket  lest  he  might  be  heard,  thought  it 
time  to  prepare  for  action.  He  primed,  and  put  in  his  cart- 
ridge, in  the  ramming  down  of  which  a  slight  ringing  of  the 
ramrod  against  the  muzzle  attracted  the  notice  of  one  of  the 
Frenchmen,  who,  looking  up,  after  a  short  time,  exclaimed, 
"  Diable  !  c'est  monsieur  misere  qui  est  Id  !  " 

Jerry  levelled  with  a  steady  aim,  and  the  bullet  passed 
through  the  broad  chest  of  the  Frenchman,  who  rolled  upon 
the  deck. 

"  Now,  they  may  chant  your  miserere,"  cried  the  youngster. 

A  second  shot  from  the  fore-cross-trees  laid  another  French- 
man alongside  of  his  companion. 

"  Comment  !  diable  !  nous  serous  abimes  par  ces  enjans  Id  ;  il 
faut  monter." 

The  muskets  were  again  loaded,  and  again  each  boy 
brought  down  his  bird  before  the  Frenchmen  could  decide 
upon  their  operations.  It  was  a  case  of  necessity  that  the 
youngsters  should  be  attacked  ;  but  it  was  a  service  of  no 
little  danger,  and  of  certain  destruction  to  one,  who  must 
fall  a  sacrifice  that  the  other  might  be  able  to  secure  the 
youngster  before  he  had  time  to  reload  his  musket.  Two 
of  the  most  daring  flew  to  the  main-rigging,  one  ascending 
to  windward  and  the  other  to  leeward.  Seymour,  who  per- 
ceived their  intentions,  reserved  his  nre  until  he  saw  the 
one  in  the  weather-rigging  fall  by  Jerry's  musket ;  he  then 
levelled  at  the  one  to  leeward,  who  dropped  into  the  lee- 
chains,  and  from  thence  into  the  sea.  Thus  had  six  French- 
men already  fallen  by  the  coolness  and  determination  of  two 
boys,  one  but  fourteen,  and  the  other  not  sixteen  years  old. 

A  short  consultation  ended  in  the  Frenchmen  resorting 
to  the  only  measures  likely  to  be  attended  with  success. 
Leaving  three  to  guard  the  hatchways,  the  remaining  twelve, 
divided  into  four  parties,  began  to  mount  both  fore  and 
main-rigging,  to  windward  and  to  leeward,  at  the  same  time. 
The  fate  of  Jerry  and  Seymour  now  appeared  to  be  decided. 
They  might  each  kill  one  man  more,  and  then  would  have 
been  hurled  into  the  sea.  But  during  the  consultation, 
Seymour,  who  anticipated  this  movement,  and  had  a  knife 
in  his  pocket,  divided  the  lanyards  of  the  lee  topmast  rigging, 
and  running  up  the  weather  side  with  his  musket  and  ammu- 
213 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

nition,  as  soon  as  he  had  gained  the  topmast  cross-trees, 
hauled  up  the  lee  rigging  after  him,  thus  gaining  a  position 
that  would  admit  but  one  person  mounting  up  to  him  at  a 
time.  He  called  to  Jerry,  pointing  out  what  he  had  done, 
that  he  might  do  the  same ;  but  unfortunately  Jerry  had 
not  a  knife,  and  could  not.  He  contented  himself  with 
climbing  up  to  the  topmast  cross-trees,  to  which  he  was 
followed  by  two  of  the  Frenchmen.  Jerry  levelled  his 
musket,  and  passed  his  bullet  through  the  skull  of  one  of 
his  pursuers,  whose  heavy  fall  on  the  deck  shook  the  schooner 
fore  and  aft;  and  then,  aware  that  nothing  more  could  be 
done,  pitched  his  musket  overboard  that  they  might  not 
gain  possession  of  it,  and  climbing  with  a  nimbleness  suited 
to  the  occasion  up  to  the  masthead,  descended  by  the 
top-gallant  stay  to  the  fore-topmast  cross-trees,  and  joined 
Seymour  in  the  presence  of  the  exasperated  Frenchmen, 
who  now,  unable  to  reach  either  of  them,  were  at  a  non- 
plus. "  I  say,  monsieur,  no  catchee,  no  habbee,"  cried 
Jerry,  laughing,  and  putting  his  hand  to  his  side  from  loss 
of  breath. 

But  we  must  now  acquaint  the  reader  with  what  is  going 
on  below.  The  surprise  of  Courtenay  when  he  found  the 
hatches  down  and  the  deck  in  possession  of  the  French, 
was  removed  when  the  men  who  had  been  secured  with 
him  stated  that,  as  they  lay  in  their  hammocks,  they  had 
been  awakened  by  a  large  body  of  men  running  up  the 
hatchway.  He  now  perceived  that  there  must  have  been 
men  concealed  in  the  hold  of  the  vessel.  The  struggle  on 
deck,  the  splashing  in  the  water,  all  had  been  plainly  heard 
below ;  they  were  aware  of  the  fate  of  their  shipmates,  and 
did  not  expect  to  see  daylight  again  until  they  were  handed 
up  as  prisoners  in  a  French  port. 

The  feelings  of  Courtenay  were  not  enviable.  He  upbraided 
himself  for  having,  by  his  want  of  prudence,  lost  the  vessel 
and  sacrificed  the  lives  of  the  two  midshipmen  and  five 
seamen  who  had  the  watch  on  deck.  The  party  below 
consisted  of  Courtenay,  Peter  and  Paul,  Billy  Pitts,  and 
five  seamen;  and  a  consultation  was  held  as  to  their  pro- 
ceedings. To  regain  the  vessel  and  avenge  the  death  of 
their  shipmates,  or  to  perish  in  the  attempt,  was  the  deter- 
mination of  the  lieutenant  He  was  aware  that  the  French 
214 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

had  no  firearms ;  and  amply  supplied  as  they  were,  he  would 
have  cared  little  for  their  numbers  if  once  on  deck ;  but 
how  to  get  on  deck  was  the  problem.  To  set  fire  to  the 
vessel,  and  rush  up  in  the  flames — to  scuttle  her — or  to 
blow  her  up,  and  all  go  down  together,  were  each  proposed 
and  agitated. 

Peter's  plan  was  considered  as  the  most  feasible.  He 
suggested  that  one-half  of  the  cabin  table,  which  was 
divided  in  two,  should  be  placed  upon  the  other,  so  as  to 
raise  it  up  to  the  coamings  of  the  skylight-hatch  ;  on  the 
upper  table  to  place  a  pound  or  two  of  powder,  which,  from 
the  ascending  principle  of  explosion,  would  blow  off  the 
skylight  and  grating  without  injuring  the .  vessel  below. 
Then,  with  their  muskets  loaded  and  bayonets  fixed,  to 
jump  on  the  table,  and  from  thence,  if  possible,  gain  the 
deck.  This  was  agreed  to,  and  the  preparations  were  well 
forward  when  the  report  of  Jerry's  musket  was  heard — • 
another  succeeded,  and  they  were  perplexed.  H;;d  the 
Frenchmen  firearms  ?  and  if  so,  what  could  they  be  firing 
at?  The  falling  of  the  bodies  on  deck,  and  the  indistinct 
curses  of  the  Frenchmen,  puzzled  them  even  more.  "  What 
can  it  be  ?  "  observed  Courtenay. 

"I  recollect  now,"  said  Paul,  "as  I  lay  awake  I  saw  young 
devil-skin  pass  my  bed  with  a  musket — I  wondered  what  it 
was  for." 

"  Then,  probably,  he  has  gained  the  rigging  with  it,  and  is 
safe,"  cried  Courtenay  intuitively.  "Be  quick  !  Where's  the 
powder  ?  Take  that  candle  further  off." 

The  train  was  laid  as  the  muskets  continued  to  be  dis- 
charged;  they  removed  from  the  cabin;— it  was  fired,  and 
the  skylight  was  blown  up,  killing  the  Frenchman  who 
guarded  the  hatchway,  at  the  very  moment  that  the  French- 
men were  in  the  rigging,  puzzled  with  the  manoeuvres  of 
Seymour  and  the  escape  of  Jerry. 

Courtenay  and  his  party  rushed  into  the  cabin,  mounted 
the  table,  and  were  on  deck  before  the  smoke  had  cleared 
away  ;  and  the  Frenchmen,  who  had  not  had  time  to  descend 
the  rigging,  were  at  their  mercy.  Mercy  they  were  not 
entitled  to.  They  had  shown  none  to  the  unarmed  English, 
whom  they  had  wantonly  thrown  into  the  sea  when  they  had 
overpowered  them,  and  were  now  thirsting  for  the  blood  of 
215 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

the  two  boys.  No  mercy  was  shown  to  them.  As  they 
dropped  one  by  one  from  the  rigging,  wounded  or  dead,  they 
were  tossed  into  the  wave,  as  an  expiatory  sacrifice  to  the 
manes  of  the  murdered  Englishmen.  In  a  few  minutes  the 
carnage  was  over.  Seymour  and  Jerry  descended  from  their 
little  fortalice  aloft,  and  were  warmly  greeted  by  their  friends 
as  they  reached  the  deck. 

"  Really,  Mr.  Paul,"  said  Jerry,  shaking  his  proffered  hand, 
"this  is  quite  an  unexpected  pleasure." 

"  Well,  I  never  thought  that  I  could  possibly  like  you," 
answered  the  other. 

"Well,"  observed  Jerry,  "it  has  quite  stopped  my 
growth." 

"  But  not  'your  tongue,  I  hope,"  replied  Peter ;  "  that 
would  be  a  pity.  Now  explain  to  us  how  it  all  happened." 

Jerry  entered  into  the  detail  with  his  accustomed  humour, 
while  Courtenay  walked  aft  with  Seymour,  to  have  a  more 
sober  narrative  of  the  transactions  which  we  have  described, 
and  which  afforded  ample  matter  for  conversation  until  the 
prize  was  brought  to  an  anchor  in  Port  Royal  harbour,  where 
Courtenay  and  his  crew  were  ordered  a  passage  to  Barbadoes 
in  a  frigate  that  had  orders  to  proceed  there  in  a  few  days  ; 
and  Mr.  Peter  Capon  and  Mr.  Paul  Contract  went  on  shore, 
declaring  that  until  a  mail-coach  ran  between  there  and 
England  they  would  never  leave  the  island  and  again  sub- 
ject themselves  to  the  charming  vicissitudes  of  a  seafaring 
existence. 


CHAPTER  XXXIV 

For  the  execution  of  all  form,  observance,  ceremony,  subordination, 
and  the  like,  even  though,  while  he  compels  obedience,  he  may  get 
himself  privately  laughed  at,  commend  me  to  our  governor,  Don 
Fabricio. — Humours  of  Madrid. 

AN  a  few  days,  Courtenay,  with  the  prize  crew  of  the 
Aspasia,  sailed  for  Barbadoes  in  the  frigate  which  had  been 
ordered  to  receive  them  for  a  passage.  The  frigate  was 
commanded  by  one  of  the  most  singular  characters  in  the 
service.  He  was  a  clever  man,  a  thorough  sailor,  and  well 
216 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

acquainted  with  the  details  and  technicalities  of  the  profession 
— a  spirited  and  enterprising  officer,  but  of  the  most  arbitrary 
disposition.  So  well  was  he  acquainted  with  the  regulations 
of  the  service,  that  he  could  hedge  himself  in  so  as  to  ensure 
a  compliance  with  the  most  preposterous  orders,  or  draw 
the  officer  who  resisted  into  a  premunire  which  would  risk 
his  commission. 

In  a  profession  where  one  man  is  embarked  with  many, 
isolated  from  the  power  whence  he  derives  his  own,  where 
his  fiat  must  be  received  without  a  murmur  by  hundreds 
who  can  reason  as  well  as  himself,  it  is  absolutely  requisite 
that  he  should  be  invested  with  an  authority  amounting  to 
despotism.  True  it  is  that  he  is  held  responsible  to  his 
superiors  for  any  undue  exercise  of  this  authority ;  but 
amongst  so  many  to  whom  it  is  confided,  there  must  be  some 
who,  from  disposition  or  the  bad  example  of  those  under 
whom  they  have  served,  will  not  adhere  to  the  limits  which 
have  been  prescribed.  This,  however,  is  no  reason  for 
reducing  that  authority,  which,  as  you  govern  wholly  by 
opinion,  is  necessary  for  the  discipline  which  upholds  the 
service  ;  but  it  is  a  strong  reason  for  not  delegating  it  to 
those  who  are  not  fit  to  be  entrusted. 

Captain  Bradshaw  had  many  redeeming  qualities.  Op- 
pressor as  he  was,  he  admired  a  spirit  of  resistance  in  an 
officer  when  it  was  shown  in  a  just  cause,  and,  upon  reflection, 
was  invariably  his  friend,  for  he  felt  that  his  own  natural 
temperament  was  increased  by  abject  obedience.  Raynal, 
I  think  it  is,  has  said  that  "  the  pride  of  men  in  office  arises 
as  much  from  the  servility  of  their  inferiors  or  expectants 
as  from  any  other  cause."  In  our  service  they  are  all ' 
inferiors,  and  all  expectants.  Can  it  then  be  surprising  that 
a  captain  occasionally  becomes  tyrannical  ?  But  Captain 
Bradshaw  was  not  naturally  tyrannical:  he  had  become 
so  because,  promoted  at  an  early  age,  he  had  never  be.en 
afterwards  opposed ;  no  one  contradicted  him ;  every  one 
applauded  his  jokes,  and  magnified  his  mirth  into  wit.  He 
would  try  by  a  court-martial  an  officer  who  had  committed 
a  slight  error,  and  on  the  same  day  would  open  his  purse 
and  extend  his  patronage  to  another  whom  he  knew  not, 
but  had  been  informed  that  he  was  deserving,  and  had  no 
friends.  To  his  seamen  he  was  as  lavish  with  his  money  as 
217 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

he  was  with  the  cat.  He  would  give  a  man  a  new  jacket 
one  day,  and  cut  it  to  pieces  on  his  back  with  a  rope's  end 
on  the  next.  Yet  it  was  not  exactly  inconsistency— it  was 
an  eccentricity  of  character,  not  natural,  but  created  by  the 
service.  The  graft  was  of  a  worse  quality  than  the  parent 
stock,  and  the  fruit  was  a  compound  of  the  two.  The  sailors, 
who  are  of  the  most  forgiving  temper  in  the  world,  and  will 
pardon  a  hundred  faults  for  one  redeeming  quality,  declared 
that  "  he  warn't  a  bad  captain  after  all. 

His  violent  and  tyrannical  disposition  made  him  constantly 
at  variance  with  his  officers,  and  continual  changes  took 
place  in  his  ship ;  but  it  was  observed,  that  those  who  had 
left  him  from  a  spirited  resistance  were  kindly  received  and 
benefited  by  his  patronage,  while  those  who  submitted  were 
neglected.  Like  a  pretty  but  clever  woman,  who  is  aware 
that  flattery  is  to  be  despised,  and  yet,  from  habit,  cannot 
exist  without  it,  so  Captain  Bradshaw  exacted  the  servility 
which  he  had  been  accustomed  to,  yet  rewarded  not  those 
by  whom  it  was  administered.  All  the  midshipmen  pro- 
moted on  the  station  had  to  pass  through  the  ordeal  of 
sailing  with  Captain  Bradshaw,  who  generally  had  a  vacancy; 
and  it  certainly  had  a  good  effect  upon  those  young  men 
who  were  inclined  to  presume  upon  their  newly  acquired 
rank;  for  they  were  well  schooled  before  they  quitted  his 
ship. 

When  Courtenay  and  his  party  went  on  board  of  the 
frigate,  the  first  lieutenant,  master,  and  surgeon,  indignant 
at  language  which  had  been  used  to  them  by  the  captain, 
refused  to  dine  in  the  cabin  when  they  were  invited  by  the 
steward,  who  reported  to  Captain  Bradshaw  that  the  officers 
would  not  accept  his  invitation. 

"  Won't  they,  by  G — d  ?  I'll  see  to  that.  Send  my  clerk 
here." 

The  clerk  made  his  appearance  with  an  abject  bow. 

"Mr.  Powell,  sit  down  and  write  as  I  dictate,"  said 
Captain  Bradshaw,  who,  walking  up  and  down  the  fore- 
cabin,  composed  a  memorandum,  in  which,  after  a  long 
preamble,  the  first  lieutenant,  master,  and  surgeon  were 
directed  to  dine  with  him  every  day  until  further  orders. 
Captain  Bradshaw,  having  signed  it,  sent  for  the  first  lieu- 
tenant, and  delivered  it  himself  into  his  hands. 
218 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  Ferguson  ! — Bradly  ! "  cried  the  first  lieutenant,  entering 
the  gun-room  with  the  paper  in  his  hand,  "  here's  something 
for  all  three  of  us — a  positive  order  to  dine  with  the  skipper 
every  day  until — he  gets  tired  of  our  company." 

"I'll  be  hanged  if  I  do,"  replied  the  surgeon.  "I'll  put 
myself  in  the  sick-list." 

"And  if  I  am  obliged  to  go,  I'll  not  touch  anything/' 
rejoined  the  master.  "There's  an  old  proverb,  'You  may 
lead  a  horse  to  the  pond,  but  you  can't  make  him  drink.'  " 

"  Whatever  we  do,"  replied  Roberts,  the  first  lieutenant, 
"we  must  act  in  concert;  but  I  have  been  long  enough  in 
the  service  to  know  that  we  must  obey  first,  and  remonstrate 
afterwards.  That  this  is  an  unusual  order,  I  grant,  nor  do  I 
know  by  what  regulations  of  the  service  it  can  be  enforced ; 
but  at  the  same  time  I  consider  that  we  run  a  great  risk  in 
refusing  to  obey  it.  Only  observe,  in  the  preamble,  how 
artfully  he  inserts  'appearance  of  a  conspiracy,  tending  to 
bring  him  into  contempt ;  '  and  again,  '  for  the  better  dis- 
cipline of  his  Majesty's  service,  which  must  invariably  suffer 
when  there  is  an  appearance  of  want  of  cordiality  between 
those  to  whom  the  men  must  look  for  an  example.'  Upon 
my  soul,  he's  devilish  clever.  I  do  believe  he'd  find  out  a 
reason  for  drawing  out  all  our  double  teeth  if  he  was 
inclined,,  and  prove  it  was  all  for  the  benefit  of  his  Majesty's 
service.  Well,  now,  what's  to  be  done  ?  " 

"Why,  what's  your  opinion,  Roberts?" 

"  Oh,  mine  is  to  go  ;  and  if  you  will  act  with  me,  he  won't 
allow  us  to  dine  with  him  a  second  time." 

"Well,  then,  I  agree,"  replied  the  surgeon. 

"  And  so  must  I,  then,  I  presume ;  but,  by  heavens,  it's 
downright  tyranny  and  oppression." 

"  Never  mind  ;  listen  to  me.  Let's  all  go,  and  all  behave 
as  ill  as  we  can — be  as  unmannerly  as  bears — abuse  every- 
thing— be  as  familiar  as  possible,  and  laugh  in  his  face.  He 
cannot  touch  us  for  it,  if  we  do  not  go  too  far — and  he'll  not 
trouble  us  to  come  a  second  time." 

Their  plans  were  arranged ;  and  at  three  o'clock  they 
were  ushered  into  the  cabin  with  one  of  the  midshipmen 
of  the  ship  and  Jerry,  who,  as  a  stranger,  had  been  honoured 
with  an  invitation.  Captain  Bradshaw,  whose  property  was 
equal  to  his  liberality,  piqued  himself  upon  keeping  a  good 
219 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

table ;  his  cook  was  an  artiste,  and  his  wines  were  of  the 
very  best  quality.  After  all,  there  was  no  great  hardship 
in  dining  with  him,  but  "  upon  compulsion  !  " — no.  The 
officers  bowed.  The  captain,  satisfied  with  their  obedience, 
intended,  although  he  had  brought  them  there  by  force,  to 
do  the  honours  of  his  table  with  the  greatest  urbanity. 

"  Roberts,"  said  he,  "  do  me  the  favour  to  take  the  foot 
of  the  table.  Doctor,  here's  a  chair  for  you.  Mr.  Bradly, 
come  round  on  this  side.  Now  then,  steward,  off  covers 
and  let  us  see  what  you  have  for  us.  Why,  youngster,  does 
your  captain  starve  you  ?  " 

"  No,  sir,"  replied  Jerry,  who  knew  what  was  going  on ; 
"  but  he  don't  give  me  a  dinner  every  day." 

"  Humph  !  "  muttered  the  captain,  who  thought  Mr.  Jerry 
very  free  upon  so  short  an  acquaintance. 

The  soup  was  handed  round ;  the  first  spoonful  that 
Roberts  took  in  his  mouth  he  threw  out  on  the  snow-white 
deck,  crying  out  as  soon  as  his  mouth  was  empty,  "  O 
Lord ! " 

"  Why,  -what's  the  matter  ?  "  inquired  the  captain. 

"So  cursed  hot,  I've  burnt  my  tongue." 

"Oh,  that's  all! — steward,  wipe  up  that  mess,"  said  the 
captain,  who  was  rather  nice  in  his  eating. 

"  Do  you  know  Jemmy  Cavan,  sir,  at  Barbadoes  ? "  in- 
quired the  doctor. 

"  No,  sir,  I  know  no  Jemmies,"  replied  Captain  Bradshaw, 
surprised  at  his  familiar  address. 

"  He's  a  devilish  good  fellow,  sir,  I  can  tell  you.  Wheii 
he  gets  you  on  shore,  he'll  make  you  dine  with  him  every 
day,  whether  or  not.  He'll  take  no  denial." 

c<  Now,  that's  what  I  call  a  d — d  good  fellow ;  you  don't 
often  meet  a  chap  like  him,"  observed  the  master. 

Captain  Bradshaw  felt  that  he  was  indirectly  called  a  chap, 
which  did  not  please  him. 

"  Mr.  Bradly,  will  you  take  some  mutton  ?  " 

"  If  you  please,"  said  the  master. 

"  Roberts,  I'll  trouble  you  to  carve  the  saddle  of  mutton." 

The  first  lieutenant  cut  out  a  slice,  and  taking  it  on  the 
fork,  looked  at  it  suspiciously,  and  then  held  his  nose 
over  it. 

"  Why,  what's  the  matter  ?  " 
220 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Rather  high,  sir,  I'm  afraid." 

"Oh,  I  smell  it  here/'  said  Jerry,  who  entered  into  the 
joke. 

"  Indeed  !  Steward,  remove  that  dish  ;  fortunately,  it  is 
not  all  our  dinner.  What  will  you  take,  Mr.  Bradly  ? " 

"Wrhy,  really,  I  seldom  touch  anything  but  the  joint. 
I  hate  your  kickshaws,  there's  so  much  pawing  about  them. 
I'll  wait,  if  you  please;  in  the  meantime,  I'll  drink  a  glass 
of  wine  with  you,  Captain  Bradshaw." 

"The  devil  you  will!"  was  nearly  out  of  the  captain's 
mouth  at  this  reversal  of  the  order  of  things ;  but  he 
swallowed  it  down,  and  answered  in  a  surly  tone,  "  With 
great  pleasure,  sir." 

"Come,  doctor,  let  you  and  I  hob  and  nob,"  said  the  first 
lieutenant.  They  did  so,  and  clicked  their  glasses  together 
with  such  force  as  to  break  them  both,  and  spill  the  wine 
upon  the  fine  damask  table-cloth.  Jerry  could  contain 
himself  no  longer,  but  burst  out  into  a  roar  of  laughter, 
to  the  astonishment  of  Captain  Bradshaw,  who  never  had 
seen  a  midshipman  thus  conduct  himself  at  his  table  before ; 
but  Jerry  could  not  restrain  his  inclination  for  joining  with 
the  party,  although  he  had  no  excuse  for  his  behaviour. 

"  Bring  some  wine-glasses,  steward ;  and  you'll  excuse  me, 
gentlemen,  but  I  will  thank  you  not  to  try  the  strength  of 
them  again,"  said  Captain  Bradshaw,  with  a  very  majestic  air. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Ferguson,  I  shall  be  happy  to  take  a  glass  of 
wine  with  you.  What  will  you  have?  There's  sherry  and 
Moselle." 

"  I  prefer  champagne,  if  you  please,"  answered  the  surgeon, 
who  knew  that  Captain  Bradshaw  did  not  produce  it  except 
when  strangers  were  at  the  table. 

Captain  Bradshaw  restrained  his  indignation,  and  ordered 
champagne  to  be  brought. 

"  I'll  join  you,"  cried  the  first  lieutenant,  shoving  in  his 
glass. 

"  Come,  younker,  let  you  and  I  have  a  glass  cosy  together," 
said  Jerry  to  the  midshipman,  who,  frightened  at  what  was 
going  on,  moved  his  chair  a  little  further  from  Jerry,  and 
then  looked  first  at  him  and  then  at  the  captain. 

"Oh,  pray  take  a  glass  with  the  young  gentleman,"  said 
Captain  Bradshaw,  with  mock  politeness. 
221 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Come,  steward,  none  of  your  half  allowance,  if  you 
please,"  continued  the  impertinent  Jerry.  "  Now,  then,  my 
cock,  here's  towards  you,  and  'better  luck  still.' " 

Captain  Bradshaw  was  astonished.  "  I  say,  youngster, 
did  Captain  M ever  flog  you  ?  " 

"No,  sir,"  replied  Jerry  demurely,  perceiving  that  he 
had  gone  too  far ;  "  he  always  treats  his  officers  like  gentle- 
men." 

"Then  I  presume,  sir,  when  they  are  on  board  of  his 
ship  that  they  conduct  themselves  as  gentlemen." 

This  hint  made  Jerry  dumb  for  some  time ;  the  officers, 
however,  continued  as  before.  The  surgeon  dropped  his 
plate,  full  of  damascene  tart,  on  the  deck.  The  first 
lieutenant  spilt  his  snuff  on  the  table-cloth,  and  laid  his  snuff- 
box on  the  table,  which  he  knew  to  be  the  captain's 
aversion;  and  the  master  requested  a  glass  of  grog,  as  the 
rotgut  French  wines  had  given  him  a  pain  in  the  bowels. 
Captain  Bradshaw  could  hardly  retain  his  seat  upon  the 
chair,  upon  which  he  fidgeted  right  and  left.  He  perceived 
that  his  officers  were  behaving  in  a  very  unusual  manner, 
and  that  it  was  with  a  view  to  his  annoyance ;  yet  it  was 
impossible  for  him  to  take  notice  of  breaking  glasses,  and 
finding  fault  with  the  cookery,  which  they  took  care  to  do, 
sending  their  plates  away  before  they  had  eaten  a  mouthful 
with  apparent  disgust ;  neither  could  he  demand  a  court- 
martial  for  awkwardness  or  want  of  good  manners  at  his 
own  table.  He  began  to  think  that  he  had  better  have  left 
out  the  ''everyday  until  further  orders"  in  the  memorandum, 
as  rescinding  it  immediately  would  have  been  an  acknow- 
ledgment of  their  having  gained  the  victory;  and  as 
to  their  going  on  in  this  way,  to  put  up  with  it  was 
impossible. 

The  dinner  was  over,  and  the  dessert  placed  on  the  table. 
Captain  Bradshaw  passed  the  bottles  round,  helping  himself 
to  Madeira.  Roberts  took  claret,  and  as  soon  as  he  had 
tasted  it,  "  I  beg  your  pardon,  Captain  Bradshaw,"  said  he, 
"  but  this  wine  is  corked." 

"  Indeed !  Take  it  away,  steward,  and  bring  another 
bottle." 

Another  was  put  on  the  table. 

"  I  hope  you  will  find  that  better,  Mr.  Roberts,"  said  the 
222 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

captain,  who  really  thought  that  what  he  stated  had  been 
the  case. 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant ;  "  for  the  description 
of  wine,  it's  well  enough." 

"  What  do  you  mean,  sir  ?  Why,  it's  Chateau  Margaux  of 
the  first  growth." 

"  Excuse  me,  sir,"  replied  the  officer,  with  an  incredulous 
smile  ;  "  they  must  have  imposed  upon  you." 

Captain  Bradshaw,  who  was  an  excellent  judge  of  wine, 
called  for  a  glass,  and  pouring  out  the  claret,  tasted  it.  "  I 
must  differ  from  you,  sir ;  and,  moreover,  I  have  no  better." 

"  Then  I'll  trouble  you  to  pass  the  port,  doctor,  for  I  really 
cannot  drink  that  stuff." 

"Do  you  drink  port,  Mr.  Bradly  ?"  said  the  captain,  with 
a  countenance  as  black  as  a  thunder-cloud. 

"No,  not  to-day;  I  am  not  well  in  my  inside;  but  I'll 
punish  the  port  to-morrow." 

"So  will  I,"  said  the  surgeon. 

"And  as  I  am  not  among  the  privileged,"  added  Jerry, 
who  had  already  forgotten  the  hint,  "  I'll  take  my  whack 
to-day." 

"  Perhaps  you  may,"  ooserved  the  captain  drily. 

The  officers  now  began  to  be  very  noisy,  arguing  among 
themselves  upon  points  of  service  and  taking  no  notice 
whatever  of  the  captain.  The  master,  in  explanation,  drew 
a  chart,  with  wine,  upon  the  polished  table,  while  the  first 
lieutenant  defended  his  opinion  with  pieces  of  biscuit,  laid 
at  different  positions — during  which  two  more  glasses  were 
demolished. 

The  captain  rang,  and  ordered  coffee  in  an  angry  tone. 
When  the  officers  had  taken  it,  he  bowed  stiffly,  and  wished 
them  good  evening. 

There  was  one  dish  which  was  an  object  of  abhorrence  to 
Captain  Bradshaw.  The  first  lieutenant,  aware  of  it,  as  they 
rose  to  depart,  said,  "  Captain  Bradshaw,  if  it's  not  too  great 
a  liberty,  we  should  like  to  have  some  tripe  to-morrow.  We 
are  all  three  very  partial  to  it." 

"So  am  I,"  rejoined  Jerry. 

Captain  Bradshaw  could  hold  out  no  longer.     "  Leave  the 
cabin  immediately,  gentlemen.     By  heavens,  you  shall  never 
put  your  legs  under  my  table  again." 
223 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"Are  we  not  to  dine  here  to-morrow,  sir?"  replied  the 
first  lieutenant  with  affected  surprise  ;  "  the  order  says, '  every 
day.'  " 

"Till  further  orders/'  roared  the  captain;  "and  now  you 
have  them,  for  I'll  be  d — d  if  ever  you  dine  with  me 
again." 

The  officers  took  their  departure,  restraining  their  mirth 
until  they  gained  the  gun-room  ;  and  Jerry  was  about  to 
follow,  when  Captain  Bradshaw  caught  him  by  the  arm. 

"  Stop,  my  young  gentleman,  you've  not  had  your  'whack  ' 

yet." 

"  I've  had  quite  sufficient,  sir,  I  thank  you,"  replied  Jerry  ; 
"an  excellent  dinner — -many  thanks  to  your  hospitality." 

"Yes,  but  I  must  now  give  you  your  dessert." 

"  I've  had  my  dessert  and  coffee  too,  sir,"  said  Jerry,  trying 
to  escape. 

"But  you  have  not  had  your  chasse-cafe,  and  I  cannot 
permit  you  to  leave  the  cabin  without  it.  Steward,  desire 
a  boatswain's  mate  to  bring  his  cat,  and  a  quartermaster  to 
come  here  with  seizings." 

Jerry  was  now  in  a  stew — the  inflexible  countenance  of 
Captain  Bradshaw  showed  that  he  was  in  earnest.  However, 
he  held  his  tongue  until  the  operators  appeared,  hoping  that 
the  captain  would  think  better  of  it. 

"  Seize  this  young  gentleman  up  to  the  breech  of  the  gun, 
quartermaster ! " 

"Will  you  oblige  me,  sir,  by  letting  me  know  my 
offence  J " 

"  No,  sir. " 

"  I  do  not  belong  to  your  ship,"  continued  Jerry.     "  If  I 

have  done  wrong,  Captain  M is  well  known  to  be  a  strict 

officer,  and  will  pay  every  attention  to  your  complaint." 

"  I  will  save  him  the  trouble,  sir." 

Jerry  was  now  seized  up,  and  every  arrangement  made 
preparatory  to  punishment.  "  Well,  sir,"  resumed  Jerry,  "  it 

must  be  as  you  please;  but  I   know  what  Captain   M 

will  say." 

"What,  sir?" 

"That  you  were  angry  with  your  officers,  whom  you  could 
not  punish,  and  revenged  yourself  upon  a  poor  boy." 

"  Would  he  ?     Boatswain's  mate,  where's  your  cat  ?  " 
224 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Here,  sir; — how  many  tails  am  I  to  use?" 

"  Oh,  give  him  the  whole  nine." 

"  Why,  your  honour,"  replied  the  man  in  a  compassionate 
tone,  "  there's  hardly  room  for  them  there." 

Jerry,  who,  when  his  indignation  was  roused,  cared  little 
what  he  said,  and  defied  consequences,  now  addressed  the 
captain. 

"  Captain  Bradshaw,  before  you  commence,  will  you  allow 
me  to  tell  you  what  I  will  call  you  after  the  first  lash  ?  " 

"What,  sir?" 

"What!"  cried  Jerry,  with  scorn — "why,  if  you  cut  me 
to  pieces,  and  turn  me  out  of  the  service  afterwards,  I  will 
call  you  a  paltry  coward,  and  your  own  conscience,  when  you 
are  able  to  reflect,  will  tell  you  the  same." 

Captain  Bradshaw  started  back  with  astonishment  at  such 
unheard-of  language  from  a  midshipman  ;  but  he  was  pleased 
with  the  undaunted  spirit  of  the  boy — perhaps  he  felt  the 
truth  of  the  observation.  At  all  events,  it  saved  Jerry.  After 
a  short  pause  the  captain  said — 

"  Cast  him  loose ;  but  observe,  sir,  never  let  me  see  your 
face  again  while  you  are  in  the  ship  ! " 

"  No,  nor  any  other  part  of  me,  if  I  can  help  it,"  replied 
Jerry,  buttoning  up  his  clothes,  and  making  a  precipitate 
escape  by  the  cabin-door. 


CHAPTER  XXXV 

The  air  no  more  was  vital  now, 

But  did  a  mortal  poison  grow. 

The  lungs,  which  used  to  fan  the  heart,      \ 

Served  only  now  to  fire  each  part ; 

What  should  refresh,  increased  the  smart.  ) 

And  now  their  very  breath, 
The  chiefest  sign  of  life,  became  the  cause  of  death  ! 

SPRAT,  Bishop  of  Rochester. 

J_  HE  Aspasia  did  not  drop  her  anchor  in  Carlisle  Bay  until 
three  weeks  after  the  arrival  of  the  frigate  which  brought  up 
Courtenay  and  the  prize  crew;  but  she  had  not  been  idle, 
having  three  valuable  prizes,  which  she  had  captured  in 
225  p 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

company.  Courtenay  immediately  repaired  on  board  of  his 

ship,  to  report  to  Captain  M the  circumstances  which 

had  occurred  connected  with  the  loss  of  his  five  men.  He 
was  too  honourable  to  attempt  to  disguise  or  palliate  the  facts  ; 
on  the  contrary,  he  laid  all  the  blame  upon  himself,  and  en- 
hanced the  merits  of  the  two  midshipmen.  Captain  M , 

who  admired  his  ingenuous  confession,  contented  himself  with 
observing  that  he  trusted  it  would  be  a  caution  to  him  during 
his  future  career  in  the  service.  To  Seymour  and  Jerry  he 
said  nothing,  as  he  was  afraid  that  the  latter  would  presume 
upon  commendation;  but  he  treasured  up  their  conduct  in 
his  memory,  and  determined  to  lose  no  opportunity  that  might 
offer  to  reward  them.  Courtenay  descended  to  the  gun-room, 
where  he  was  warmly  greeted  by  his  messmates,  who  crowded 
round  him  to  listen  to  his  detail  of  the  attempt  to  recapture. 

"Well,"  observed  Price,  "it  appears  we  have  had  a  narrow 
chance  of  losing  a  messmate." 

"  Narrow  chance  lose  two,  sar,"  replied  Billy  Pitts  ;  "  you 
forgit,  sar,  I  on  board  schooner  ! " 

"  Oh,  Billy,  are  you  there  ?  How  does  the  dictionary 
come  on  ?  " 

"  Come  on  well,  sar ;  I  make  a  corundum  on  Massa  Doctor 
when  on  board  schooner." 

"  Made  a  what  ? — a  corundum  !     What  can  that  be  ?  " 

"  It  ought  to  be  something  devilish  hard,"  observed 
Courtenay. 

"Yes,  sar,  debblish  hard  find  out.  Now,  sar  —  why 
Massa  Macallan  like  a  general  ?  " 

"  I'm  sure  I  can't  tell.     We  give  it  up,  Billy." 

"Then,  sar,  I  tell  you.     Because  \\efeelossifer." 

"  Bravo,  Billy  !  Why,  you'll  write  a  book  soon.  By- 
the-bye,  Macallan,  I  must  not  forget  to  thank  you  for  the 
loan  of  that  gentleman ;  he  has  made  himself  very  useful, 
and  behaved  very  well." 

"  Really,  Massa  Courtenay,  I  tought  I  not  give  you  satis- 
faction." 

"  Why  so,  Billy  ?  " 

"  Because,  sar,  you  never  give  me  present — not  one 
dollar." 

"He  has  you  there,"  said  Price;  "you  must  fork  out." 

"Not  a  rap  —  the  nigger  had  perquisites.  I  saw  the 
296 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

English  merchants  give  him  a  handful  of  dollars  before  they 
left  the  vessel." 

"  Ah !  they  real  gentlemen,  Massa  Capon  and  Massa 

dam'um  name — I  forgot." 

"And  what  am  I,'  then,  you  black  thief?" 

"  Oh  !  you,  sar,  you  very  fine  officer,"  replied  Billy,  quit- 
ting the  gun-room. 

Courtenay  did  not  exactly  like  the  answer  —  but  there 
was  nothing  to  lay  hold  of.  As  usual,  when  displeased,  he 
referred  to  his  snuff-box,  muttering  something,  in  which  the 
word  "  annoying  "  could  only  be  distinguished. 

The  breeze  from  the  windsail  blew  some  of  the  snuff 
out  of  the  box  into  the  eyes  of  Macallan. 

"  I  wish  to  heaven  you  would  be  more  careful,  Courtenay," 
cried  the  surgeon,  in  an  angry  tone,  and  stamping  with 
the  pain. 

"  I  really  beg  your  pardon,"  replied  Courtenay  ;  "  snuffing's 
a  vile  habit — I  wish  I  could  leave  it  off." 

"  So  do  your  messmates,"  replied  the  surgeon ;  "  I  can- 
not imagine  what  pleasure  there  can  be  in  a  practice  in 
itself  so  nasty,  independent  of  the  destruction  of  the  olfac- 
tory powers." 

"  It's  exactly  for  that  reason  that  I  take  snuff;  I  am  con- 
vinced that  I  am  a  gainer  by  the  loss  of  the  power  of  smell." 

"  I  consider  it  ungrateful,  if  not  wicked,  to  say  so," 
replied  the  surgeon  gravely.  "The  senses  were  given  to 
us  as  a  source  of  enjoyment." 

"True,  doctor,"  answered  Courtenay,  mimicking  the  lan- 
guage of  Macallan  ;  "  and  if  I  were  a  savage  in  the  woods, 
there  could  not  be  a  sense  more  valuable,  or  affording  so 
much  gratification,  as  the  one  in  question.  I  should  rise  with 
the  sun,  and  inhale  the  fragrance  of  the  shrubs  and  flowers, 
offered  up  in  grateful  incense  to  their  Creator,  and  I  should 
stretch  myself  under  the  branches  of  the  forest  tree,  as 
evening  closed,  and  enjoy  the  faint  perfume  with  which 
they  wooed  the  descending  moisture  after  exhaustion  from 
the  solar  heat.  But  in  civilised  society,  where  men  and 
things  are  packed  too  closely  together,  the  case  is  widely 
different ;  for  one  pleasant,  you  encounter  twenty  offensive 
smells ;  and  of  all  the  localities  for  villainous  compounds,  a 
ship  is  indubitably  the  worst.  I  therefore  patronise  '  baccy," 
227 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

which,  I  presume,  was  intended  for  our  use,  or  it  would 
not  have  been  created." 

fl  But  not  for  our  abuse." 

"  Ah  !  there's  the  rock  that  we  all  split  upon — and  I,  with 
others,  must  plead  guilty.  The  greatest  difficulty  in  this 
world  is,  to  know  when  and  where  to  stop.  Even  a  philo- 
sopher like  yourself  cannot  do  it.  You  allow  your  hypothesis 
to  whirl  in  your  brain,  until  it  forms  a  vortex  which  swallows 
up  everything  that  comes  within  its  influence.  A  modern 
philosopher,  with  his  hypothesis,  is  like  a  man  possessed  with 
a  devil  in  times  of  yore ;  and  it  is  not  to  be  cast  out  by  any 
human  means  that  I  know  of." 

"As  you  please,"  replied  Macallan,  laughing;  "I  only 
deprecated  a  bad  habit." 

"  An  hypothesis  is  only  a  habit — a  habit  of  looking  through 
a  glass  of  one  peculiar  colour,  which  imparts  its  hue  to  all 
around  it.  We  are  but  creatures  of  habit.  Luxury  is  nothing 
more  than  contracting  fresh  habits,  and  having  the  means  of 
administering  to  them— ergo,  doctor,  the  more  habits  you 
have  to  gratify,  the  more  luxuries  you  possess.  You  luxuriate 
in  the  contemplation  of  Nature — Price  in  quoting,  or  trying 
to  quote,  Shakspeare — Billy  Pitts  in  his  dictionary — I  in 
my  snuff-box  ;  and  surely  we  may  all  continue  to  enjoy  our 
harmless  propensities  without  interfering  with  each  other ; 
although  I  must  say  that  those  still-born  quotations  of  our 
messmate  Price  are  most  tryingly  annoying." 

"  And  so  is  a  pinch  of  snuff  in  the  eye,  I  can  assure  you," 
replied  Macallan. 

"Granted ;  but  we  must  ' give  and  take,'  doctor." 

"In  the  present  case,  I  don't  care  how  much  you  take, 
provided  you  don't  give,"  rejoined  Macallan,  recovering 
his  good-humour. 

A  messenger  from  Captain  M ,  who  desired  to  speak 

with  Macallan,  put  an  end  to  the  conversation. 

"  Mr.  Macallan,"  said  Captain  M ,  when  the  surgeon 

came  into  the  cabin  to  receive  his  commands,  "  I  am  sorry 
to  find,  from  letters  which  I  have  received,  that  the  yellow 
fever  is  raging  in  the  other  islands  in  a  most  alarming 
manner,  and  that  it  has  been  communicated  to  the  squadron 
on  the  station.  I  am  sorry  to  add,  that  I  have  received 
a  letter  from  the  governor  here,  informing  me  that  it  has 
228 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

made  its  appearance  at  the  barracks.  I  am  afraid  that  we 
have  little  chance  of  escaping  so  general  a  visitation.  As 
it  is  impossible  to  put  to  sea,  even  if  my  orders  were  not 
decisive  to  the  contrary,  are  there  not  some  precautions 
which  ought  to  be  taken  ?  " 

"Certainly,  sir.  It  will  be  prudent  to  fumigate  the 
lower  deck ;  it  has  already  been  so  well  ventilated  and 
whitewashed,  that  nothing  else  can  be  done ;  we  must 
hope  for  the  best." 

"  I  do  so,"  replied  Captain  M ;  "  but  my  hope  is 

mingled  with  anxious  apprehensions,  which  I  cannot  con- 
trol. We  must  do  all  we  can,  and  leave  the  rest  to 
Providence." 

The  fears  of  Captain  M were  but  too  well  grounded. 

For  some  days  no  symptoms  of  infection  appeared  on 
board  of  the  Aspasia  ;  but  the  ravages  on  shore,  among  the 
troops,  were  to  such  an  extent,  that  the  hospitals  were 
filled,  and  those  who  were  earned  in  might  truly  be  said 
to  have  left  hope  behind.  Rapid  as  was  the  mortality,  it  was 
still  not  rapid  enough  for  the  admittance  of  those  who  were 
attacked  with  the  fatal  disease ;  and  as  the  bodies  of  fifteen 
or  twenty  were,  each  succeeding  evening,  borne  unto  the 
grave,  the  continual  decrease  of  the  military  cortege  which 
attended  the  last  obsequies  told  the  sad  tale  that  those 
who,  but  a  day  or  two  before,  had  followed  the  corpses  of 
others,  were  now  carried  on  their  own  biers. 

Other  vessels  on  the  station,  which  had  put  to  sea  from 
the  different  isles,  with  the  disappointed  expectation  of 
avoiding  the  contagion,  now  came  to  an  anchor  in  the 
bay,  their  crews  so  weakened  by  disease  and  death  that 
they  could  with  difficulty  send  up  sufficient  men  to  furl 
their  sails.  Boat  after  boat  was  sent  on  shore  to  the  naval 
hospital,  loaded  with  sufferers,  until  it  became  so  crowded 
that  no  more  could  be  received.  Still  the  Aspasia,  from 
the  precautions  which  had  been  taken  in  fumigating  and 
avoiding  all  unnecessary  contact  with  the  shipping  and 
the  shore,  had  for  nearly  a  fortnight  escaped  the  infection ; 
but  the  miasma  was  at  last  wafted  to  the  frigate,  and  in 
the  course  of  one  night  fifteen  men,  who  were  in  health 
the  preceding  evening,  before  eight  o'clock  on  the  follow- 
ing morning  were  lying  in  their  hammocks  under  the  half- 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

deck.     Before  the  close  of  that  day  the  number  of  patients 
had  increased  to  upwards  of  forty.     The   hospitals  were   so 

crowded    that    Captain    M agreed  with   Macallan    that 

it  would  be  better  that  the  men  should  remain  on  board. 

The  frigate  was  anchored  with  springs  on  her  cable,  so 
as  always  to  be  able  to  warp  her  stern  to  the  breeze ;  the 
cabin  bulkheads  on  the  main-deck  and  the  thwart-ship 
bulkheads  below  were  removed,  and  the  stern  windows 
and  ports  thrown  open  to  admit  a  freer  circulation  of  air 
than  could  have  been  obtained  by  riding  with  her  head 
to  the  sullen  breeze,  which  hardly  deigned  to  fan  the 
scorching  cheeks  of  the  numerous  and  exhausted  patients. 
The  numbers  on  the  list  daily  increased,  until  every  part  of 
the  ship  was  occupied  with  their  hammocks,  and  the  surgeon 
and  his  assistants  had  scarcely  time  to  relieve  one  by  exces- 
sive bleeding,  and  consign  him  to  his  hammock,  before  another, 
staggering  and  fainting  under  the  rapid  disease,  presented 
himself,  with  his  arm  bared,  ready  for  the  lancet.  More 
blood  was  thrown  into  the  stagnant  water  of  the  bay  than 
would  have  sufficed  to  render  ever  verdant  the  laurels  of  many 
a  well-fought  action  (for  our  laurels  flourish  not  from  the  dew  of 
heaven,  but  must  be  watered  with  a  sanguine  stream) ;  and, 
alas !  too  soon  more  bodies  were  consigned  to  the  deep  than 
would  have  been  demanded  from  the  frigate  in  the  warmest 
proof  of  courage  and  perseverance  in  her  country's  cause. 

It  is  a  scene  like  this  which  appals  the  sailor's  heart.  It 
is  not  the  range  of  hammocks  on  the  main-deck,  tenanted  by 
pale  forms,  with  their  bandages  steeped  in  gore ;  for  such  is 
the  chance  of  war,  and  the  blood  has  flowed  from  hearts 
boiling  with  ardour  and  devotion.  If  not  past  cure,  the 
smiles  and  congratulations  of  their  shipmates  alleviate  the 
anguish  and  fever  of  the  wound;  if  past  all  medical  relief, 
still  the  passage  from  this  transitory  world  is  soothed  by  the 
affectionate  sympathy  of  their  messmates,  by  the  promise  to 
execute  their  last  wishes,  by  the  knowledge  that  it  was  in 
their  country's  defence  they  nobly  fell.  'Tis  not  the  chance 
of  wreck,  or  of  being  consigned,  unshrouded,  to  the  dark 
wave,  by  the  treacherous  leak,  or  overwhelming  fury  of  the 
storm.  'Tis  not  the  "thought-executing  fire."  Every  and 
all  of  these  they  are  prepared  and  are  resigned  to  meet,  as 
ills  to  which  their  devious  track  is  heir.  But  when  disease, 
230 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

in  its  most  loathsome  form  and  implacable  nature,  makes  its 
appearance — when  we  contemplate,  in  perspective,  our  own 
fate  in  the  unfortunate  who  is  selected,  like  the  struggling 
sheep  dragged  from  the  hurdled  crowd  to  be  pierced  by 
the  knife  of  the  butcher — when  the  horror  of  infection  be- 
comes so  strong  that  we  hold  aloof  from  administering  the 
kind  offices  of  relief  to  our  dearest  friends ;  and,  eventually 
prostrated  ourselves,  find  the  same  regard  for  self  pervades 
the  rest,  and  that  there  is  no  voluntary  attendance — then  the 
sight  of  the  expiring  wretch,  in  his  last  effort,  turning  his  head 
over  the  side  of  his  hammock,  and  throwing  off  the  dreadful 
black  vomit,  harbinger  of  his  doom — 'tis  horrible!  too  horrible ! 

And  the  anxiety  which  we  would  in  vain  suppress — the 
reckless  laugh  of  some,  raised  but  to  conceal  their  fear  from 
human  penetration — the  intoxicating  draught,  poured  down 
by  others  to  dull  the  excited  senses — the  follies  of  years 
reviewed  in  one  short  minute — our  life,  how  spent — how 
much  to  answer  for  ! — a  world  how  overvalued — a  God  how 
much  neglected ! — the  feeling  that  we  ought  to  pray,  the 
inclination  that  propels  us  to  do  so,  checked  by  the  mistaken 
yet  indomitable  pride  which  puts  the  question  to  our  man- 
hood, "  Will  ye  pray  in  fear,  when  ye  neglected  it  in  fancied 
security  ? "  Down,  stubborn  knees !  Pride  is  but  folly  to- 
wards men — insanity  towards  God  ! 

But  why  dwell  upon  such  a  scene  ?  Let  it  suffice  to  state 
that  seventy  of  the  Aspasia's  men  fell  victims  to  the  baneful 
climate,  and  that  many  more,  who  did  recover,  were  left  in 
such  a  state  of  exhaustion  as  to  require  their  immediate 
return  to  their  native  shores.  Except  O'Keefe,  the  purser, 
all  the  officers  whom  I  have  introduced  to  the  reader  escaped. 
Three  from  the  midshipmen's  berth,  who  had  served  their 
time,  and  who  for  many  months  had  been  drinking  the  toast 
of  "  A  bloody  war  and  sickly  season,"  fell  a  sacrifice  to  their 
own  thoughtless  and  selfish  desire ;  and  the  clerk,  who 
anticipated  promotion  when  he  heard  that  the  purser  was 
attacked,  died  before  him. 

When  all  was  over,  Jerry  observed  to  Prose,  "  Well,  Prose, 
'it's  an  ill  wind  that  blows  nobody  any  good.'  We  have  had 
not  one  single  thrashing  during  the  sickness  ;  but  I  suppose, 
now  that  their  courage  is  returned,  we  must  prepare  for  both 
principal  and  interest." 

231 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Well  now,  Jerry,  I  do  declare  that's  very  likely,  but  I 
never  thought  of  it  before." 

The  large  convoys  of  merchantmen  that  came  out  supplied 
the  men  that  were  required  to  man  the  disabled  ships ;  and 
transports  brought  out  cargoes  from  the  depots  to  fill  up 
the  skeleton  ranks  of  the  different  companies.  Among  the 
various  blessings  left  us  in  this  life  of  suffering  is  forgetful- 
ness  of  past  evils ;  and  the  yellow  fever  was  in  a  short  time 
no  longer  the  theme  of  dread,  or  even  of  conversation. 

"  Well,  Tom,  what  sort  of  a  place  is  this  here  West 
Hinges  ?  "  inquired  a  soldier  who  had  been  just  landed  from 
a  transport,  of  an  old  acquaintance  in  the  regiment  whom 
he  encountered. 

"  Capital  place,  Bill,"  returned  the  other  to  his  interroga- 
tion; "plenty  to  drink,  and  always  a-dry." 

But  as  I  do  not  wish  to  swell  my  narrative,  and  have  no 
doubt  but  the  reader  will  be  glad  to  leave  this  pestilential 
climate,  I  shall  inform  him  that  for  three  years  the  Aspaula 
continued  on  the  station,  daily  encountering  the  usual  risks  of 
battle,  fire,  and  wreck  ;  and  that  at  the  end  of  that  period  the 

health  of  Captain  M was  so  much  injured,  by  the  climate 

and  his  own  exertions,  that  he  requested  permission  to  quit 
the  station. 


CHAPTER  XXXVI 

Sir  Bash.  This  idol  of  my  heart  is—  mj  own  wife  ! 
Love.  Your  own  wife  ? 

Sir  Bash.  Yes,  my  own  wife.     'Tis  all  over  with  me  :  I  am  undone. 

The  Way  to  Keep  Him. 


us  something  new  "  Such  was  the  cry  of  men  at 
the  time  of  the  Prophet,  and  such  it  will  continue  until  all 
prophecies  are  accomplished,  all  revelations  confirmed.  Man 
is  constant  in  nought  but  inconsistency.  He  is  directed  to 
take  pattern  from  the  industrious  bee,  and  lay  up  the  sweet 
treasures  which  have  been  prepared  for  his  use  ;  but  he 
prefers  the  giddy  flight  of  the  butterfly,  pursuing  his  idle 
career  from  flower  to  flower,  until,  fatigued  with  the  rapidity 
of  his  motions,  he  reposes  for  a  time,  and  revolves  in  his 
232 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

mind  where  he  shall  bend  his  devious  way  in  search  of 
"something  new." 

This  is  the  fatal  propensity  by  which  our  first  parents  fell, 
and  which,  inherited  by  us,  is  the  occasion  of  our  follies  and 
our  crimes.  "Were  man  but  constant,  he  were  perfect;" 
but  that  he  cannot  be.  He  is  aware  of  the  dangers,  the 
hardships  of  travel — of  the  difference  between  offices  per- 
formed by  an  interested  and  heartless  world,  and  the  sweet 
ministering  of  duty  and  affection.  He  feels  that  home, 
sweet  home,  is  the  heaven  of  such  imperfect  bliss  as  this 
world  can  bestow;  yet  wander  he  must,  that  he  may  ap- 
preciate its  value;  and  although  he  hails  it  with  rapture, 
soon  after  his  return  it  palls  upon  him,  and  he  quits  it  again 
in  search  of  variety.  Thus  is  man  convinced  of  the  beauty 
of  Virtue,  and  acknowledges  the  peace  that  is  to  be  found  in 
her  abode ;  yet  propelled  by  the  restless  legacy  of  our  first 
parents,  he  wanders  into  the  entangled  labyrinths  of  vice, 
until,  satisfied  that  all  is  vexation,  he  retraces  his  steps  in 
repentance  and  disgust.  Thus  he  passes  his  existence  in 
sinning,  repenting,  and  sinning  again,  in  search  of  "  some- 
thing new." 

When  Mr.  Rainscourt  was  first  separated  from  his  wife,  he 
felt  himself  released  from  a  heavy  burden,  which  had  op- 
pressed him  for  years  ;  or  as  if  fetters,  which  had  been  long 
riveted,  had  been  knocked  off;  and  he  congratulated  himself 
upon  his  regained  liberty.  Plunging  at  once  into  the  depths 
of  vice  and  dissipation,  he  sought  pleasure  after  pleasure, 
variety  upon  variety — all  that  life  could  offer,  or  money 
purchase  ;  and  for  a  time  thought  himself  happy.  But  there 
are  drawbacks  which  cannot  be  surmounted,  and  he  who 
wholly  associates  with  the  vicious  must,  more  than  any 
other,  be  exposed  to  the  effects  of  depravity.  He  found  man 
more  than  ever  treacherous  and  ungrateful  —  woman  more 
than  ever  deceiving — indulgence,  cloying — debauchery,  ener- 
vating— and  his  constitution  and  his  spirits  exhausted  by 
excess.  Satiated  with  everything,  disgusted  with  everybody, 
he  sought  for  "  something  new." 

For  more  than  two  years  he  had  not  seen,  and  had  hardly 

bestowed  a  thought  upon,  his  wife  and  daughter,  who  still 

continued  to  reside  at  the  mansion  at  — — .      Not  knowing 

what  to  do  with  himself,  it  occurred  to  him  that  the  country 

233 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

air  might  recruit  his  health ;  and  he  felt  a  degree  of  interest, 
if  not  for  his  wife,  at  least  for  his  daughter.  He  determined, 
therefore,  to  pay  them  a  visit.  The  horses  were  ordered,  and 
to  the  astonishment  of  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  to  whom  he  had 
given  no  intimation  of  his  whim,  and  who  looked  upon  a  visit 
from  her  husband  in  her  retirement  as  a  visionary  idea, 
Rainscourt  made  his  appearance  just  as  she  was  about 
to  sit  down  to  dinner,  in  company  with  the  M'Elvinas 
and  the  vicar,  who  had  become  one  of  her  most  intimate 
associates. 

If  Rainscourt  was  pleased  with  the  improvement  of  Emily, 
who  was  now  more  than  fourteen  years  old,  how  much  more 
was  he  astonished  at  the  appearance  of  his  wife,  who,  to  his 
eyes,  seemed  even  handsomer,  if  possible,  than  on  the  day 
when  he  had  led  her  to  the  altar.  For  more  than  two  years, 
content,  if  not  perfect  happiness,  had  been  Mrs.  Rainscourt's 
lot.  She  had  recovered  her  health,  her  bloom,  and  her  spirits, 
and  not  having  had  any  source  of  irritation,  her  serenity  of 
temper  had  been  regained ;  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  to  whose 
extreme  beauty,  from  assuetude,  he  had  before  been  blind, 
now  appeared  to  him,  after  so  long  an  absence,  quite  a  different 
person  from  the  one  whom  he  had  quitted  with  such  indiffer- 
ence ;  and  as  he  surveyed  her  he  seemed  to  feel  that  freshness 
of  delight  unknown  to  vitiated  minds,  except  when  successful 
in  their  search  after  "  something  new." 

But  Rainscourt  was  not  altogether  wrong  in  his  idea  that 
his  wife  was  quite  a  different  personage  from  the  one  which 
he  had  quitted.  The  vicar,  who  was  acquainted  with  her 
situation,  had  not  failed  in  his  constant  exertions  for  the 
improvement  of  mankind  ;  he  had,  by  frequent  conversation, 
and  inculcation  of  our  Christian  duties,  gradually  softened 
her  into  a  charitable  and  forgiving  temper ;  and  now  that  she 
had  no  opportunity  of  exercising  them,  she  had  been  made 
acquainted  with  the  passive  forbearance  and  humility  con- 
stituting a  part  of  the  duties  of  a  wife.  She  met  her 
husband  with  kindness  and  respect;  while  his  daughter,  who 
flew  into  his  arms,  proved  that  she  had  not  been  prepossessed 
against  him,  as  he  anticipated.  Pleased  with  his  reception, 
and  with  the  company  that  he  happened  to  meet,  Rainscourt 
experienced  sensations  which  had  long  been  dormant ;  and 
it  occurred  to  him  that  an  establishment  with  such  an 
234, 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

elegant  woman  as  Mrs.  Rainscourt  at  the  head,  and  his 
daughter's  beauty  to  grace  it,  would  not  only  be  more 
gratifying,  but  more  reputable,  than  the  course  of  life  which 
he  had  lately  pursued.  He  made  himself  excessively  agree- 
able— was  pleased  with  the  benevolent  demeanour  of  the 
vicar — thought  Susan  a  lovely  young  woman,  and  M'Elvina 
a  delightful  companion  ;  and  when  he  retired  to  the  chamber 
prepared  for  his  reception,  wondered  that  he  had  never 
thought  of  paying  them  a  visit  before. 

It  had  been  the  intention  of  Rainscourt  to  have  trespassed 
upon  his  wife's  hospitality  for  one  night  only,  and  then 
have  taken  his  departure  for  some  fashionable  watering-place  ; 
but  there  seemed  to  be  such  an  appearance  of  renewed 
friendship  between  him  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  that  an  invi- 
tation was  given  by  the  vicar,  for  the  whole  party,  on 
the  ensuing  day,  to  meet  at  the  vicarage  ;  and  this  was 
followed  up  by  another  from  M'Elvina,  for  the  day  afterwards, 
at  his  cottage.  This  decided  Mr.  Rainscourt  to  remain  there 
a  day  or  two  longer.  But  when  the  time  of  his  departure 
arrived,  Rainscourt  was  so  pleased  with  his  new  acquaintance, 
so  delighted  with  his  daughter,  and,  to  his  astonishment,  so 
charmed  by  his  wife,  that  he  could  not  tear  himself  away. 

Women  are  proverbially  sharp-sighted  in  all  where  the 
heart  is  concerned,  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt  soon  perceived  that 
the  admiration  of  her  husband  was  not  feigned.  Gratified 
to  find  that  she  had  not  yet  lost  her  attractions,  and  either 
from  a  pardonable  feeling  of  revenge  at  his  desertion,  or  to 
prove  to  him  that  he  was  not  aware  of  what  he  had  rejected, 
she  exerted  all  her  powers  to  please ;  she  was  not  only 
amiable,  but  fascinating ;  and  after  a  sojourn  of  three  weeks, 
which  appeared  but  as  many  days,  Rainscourt  was  reluctantly 
compelled  to  acknowledge  to  himself  that  he  was  violently 
enamoured  of  his  discarded  wife.  He  now  felt  that  he  should 
assume  a  higher  station  in  society  by  being  at  the  head  of  his 
own  establishment,  and  that  his  consequence  would  be  in- 
creased by  the  heiress  of  so  large  a  property  residing  under 
his  protection  ;  and  he  thought  that,  if  he  could  persuade 
Mrs.  Rainscourt  to  live  with  him  again,  he  could  be  happy, 
and  exercise  with  pleasure  the  duties  of  a  father  and  a  husband. 
Neither  the  vicar  nor  M'Elvina  were  ignorant  of  his  feelings  ; 
and  the  former,  who  recollected  that  those  whom  God  has 
235 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

joined  no  man  should  put  asunder,  had  made  up  his  mind  to 
bring  the  affair,  if  possible,  to  a  happy  issue  ;  and  Rainscourt, 
who  perceived  the  influence  which  the  vicar  possessed  over  his 
wife,  determined  to  request  that  he  would  act  as  a  mediator. 

The  vicar  was  delighted  when  Rainscourt  called  upon  him 
one  morning  and  unfolded  his  wishes.  To  reconcile  those 
who  had  been  at  variance,  to  restore  a  husband  to  his  wife,  a 
father  to  a  daughter,  was  the  earnest  desire  of  the  good  man's 
heart.  He  accepted  the  office  with  pleasure  ;  and  in  the 
course  of  the  afternoon,  while  Rainscourt  called  upon  the 
M'Elvinas,  that  he  might  be  out  of  the  way,  proceeded  upon 
his  mission  of  peace  and  goodwill. 

Mrs.  Rainscourt,  who  was  not  surprised  at  the  intelligence, 
listened  to  the  vicar  attentively,  as  he  pointed  out  the  neces- 
sity of  forgiveness,  if  she  hoped  to  be  forgiven — of  the  con- 
viction, in  his  own  mind,  that  her  husband  was  reformed — 
of  the  unpleasant  remarks  to  which  a  woman  who  is  separated 
from  her  husband  must  always  be  subjected — of  the  proba- 
bility that  the  faults  were  not  all  on  his  side,  and  of  the 
advantage  her  daughter  would  derive  from  their  reunion  :  to 
which  he  entreated  her  to  consent. 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  was  moved  to  tears.  The  conflict  between 
her  former  love  and  her  outraged  feelings — the  remembrance 
of  his  long  neglect,  opposed  to  his  present  assiduities — the 
stormy  life  she  had  passed  in  his  company,  and  her  repose  of 
mind  since  their  separation — weighed  and  balanced  against 
each  other  so  exactly  that  the  scale  would  turn  on  neither 
side.  She  refused  to  give  any  decided  answer,  but  requested 
a  day  or  two  for  reflection  ;  and  the  vicar,  who  recollected 
the  adage,  that,  in  an  affair  of  the  heart,  "  the  woman  who 
deliberates  is  lost,"  left  her  with  a  happy  presage  that  his 
endeavours  would  be  crowned  with  success.  But  Mrs.  Rains- 
court  would  not  permit  her  own  heart  to  decide.  It  was  a 
case  in  which  she  did  not  consider  that  a  woman  was  likely 
to  be  a  correct  judge ;  and  she  had  so  long  been  on  intimate 
terms  with  M'Elvina,  that  she  resolved  to  lay  the  case  before 
him,  and  be  guided  by  his  opinion. 

The  next  day  Mrs.   Rainscourt  went  to  the  cottage  alone, 

and  having  requested  Susan  to  exclude  all  visitors,  entered 

into  a  full  detail  of  all  the  circumstances  which  had  occurred 

previous  to  her  separation  from  her   husband,  and  the  de- 

236 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

cision  that  she  was  now  called  upon  to  make,  from  his 
importunity. 

Susan,  who  felt  that  she  was  unable  to  advise  in  a  case  of 
such  importance  to  Mrs.  Rainscourt's  future  happiness,  imme- 
diately referred  the  matter  to  M'Elvina. 

His  answer  was  decided.  "  I  should  be  sorry,  Mrs.  Rains- 
court,  to  give  ari  opinion  in  opposition  to  that  of  the  worthy 
vicar,  did  I  not  conceive  that  his  slight  knowledge  of  the 
world  would,  in  this  instance,  tend  to  mislead  both  himself 
and  you.  Before  Mr.  Rainscourt  had  remained  here  a  week, 
I  prophesied,  as  Susan  will  corroborate,  that  this  proposal 
would  be  made.  Aware  of  his  general  character,  and  of  the 
grounds  of  your  separation,  I  took  some  pains  to  ingratiate 
myself,  that  I  might  ascertain  his  real  sentiments  ;  and  with 
regret  I  express  my  conviction,  that  his  prepossession  in  your 
favour,  strong  as  it  really  is  at  present,  will  but  prove  tran- 
sitory, and  that  possession  would  only  subject  you  to  future 
insults.  He  is  not  reformed  ;  but  satiated  with  other  en- 
joyments, and  fascinated  with  your  attractions,  his  feelings 
towards  you  are  those  of  renewed  inclination,  and  not  arising 
from  conviction  or  remorse  at  his  unprincipled  career.  Yon 
are  happy  at  present — your  refusal  may,  by  stimulating  his 
attentions,  increase  your  happiness ;  but  if  you  yield,  it  will 
only  be  a  source  of  misery  to  you  both.  Such  is  my  opinion. 
Do  not  let  him  know  that  I  have  influenced  you,  or  it  will 
interrupt  an  intimacy  which  I  shall  follow  up,  I  trust,  to 
your  advantage ;  therefore,  give  no  answer  at  present,  nor 
while  he  remains  here,  for  I  perceive  that  he  is  a  violent 
man  when  thwarted  in  his  wishes.  Demand  a  fortnight's 
consideration  after  he  is  gone,  and  then  you  will  be  able  to 
decide  from  reflection,  without  being  biassed  against  your 
own  judgment,  by  his  workings  upon  feelings  which,  to  the 
honour  of  women,  when  the  heart  is  concerned,  spurn  at  the 
cold  reasonings  of  prudence  and  worldly  wisdom." 

The  advice  of  the  man  of  the  world  prevailed  over  that  of 
the  man  of  God  ;  and  Rainscourt,  after  waiting  in  town  with 
impatience  for  the  answer,  received  a  decided  but  kind 
refusal.  He  tore  the  letter  into  fragments  with  irdignation, 
and  set  off  for  Cheltenham,  more  violently  in  love  with  his 
wife  than  he  was  before  her  rejection  of  him. 

237 


THE   KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  XXXVII 

Great  Negative  I   how  vainly  would  the  wise 

Inquire,  define,  distinguish,  teach,  devise, 

Didst  thou  not  stand  to  point  their  dull  philosophies. 

ROCHESTER'S  Ode  to  Nothing. 

OHOULD  you  feel  half  as  tired  with  reading  as  I  am  with 
writing,  I  forgive  you  with  all  my  heart  if  you  throw  down 
the  book  and  read  no  more.  I  have  written  too  fast — I 
have  quite  sprained  my  imagination — for  you  must  know 
that  this  is  all  fiction,  every  word  of  it.  Yet  I  do  not 
doubt  but  there  are  many  who  will  find  out  who  the  char- 
acters are  meant  for,  notwithstanding  my  assertion  to  the 
contrary.  Well,  be  it  so.  It's  a  very  awkward  position  to 
have  to  write  a  chapter  of  sixteen  pages,  without  materials 
for  more  than  two;  at  least,  I  find  it  so.  Some  people 
have  the  power  of  spinning  out  a  trifle  of  matter,  covering 
a  large  surface  with  a  grain  of  ore  ;  like  the  goldbeater,  who 
out  of  a  single  guinea  will  compose  a  score  of  books.  I 
wish  I  could. 

Is  there  nothing  to  give  me  an  idea?  I've  racked  my 
sensorium  internally  to  no  purpose.  Let  me  look  round 
the  cabin  for  some  external  object  to  act  as  a  fillip  to  an 
exhausted  imagination.  A  little  thing  will  do.  Well, 
here's  an  ant.  That's  quite  enough.  Commengonx. 

"  Home-keeping  youths  have  ever  homely  wits,"  they  say  ; 
but  much  as  travel  by  land  may  enlarge  the  mind,  it  never 
can  be  expanded  to  the  utmost  of  its  capabilities  until  it 
has  also  peregrinated  by  water.  I  believe  that  not  only 
the  human  intellect,  but  the  instinct  of  brutes,  is  enlarged 
by  going  to  sea. 

The  ant  which  attracted  my  attention  is  one  of  a  nest 
in  my  cabin,  whose  labours  I  often  superintend ;  and  I 
defy  any  ant  in  any  part  of  the  four  continents,  or  wherever 
land  may  be,  to  show  an  equal  knowledge  of  mechanical 
power.  I  do  not  mean  to  assert  that  there  is  originally  a 
disproportion  of  intellect  between  one  animal  and  another  of 
the  same  species ;  but  I  consider  that  the  instinct  of  animals 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

is  capable  of  expansion,  as  well  as  the  reason  of  man.  The 
ants  on  shore  would,  if  it  were  required,  be  equally  assisted 
by  their  instinct,  I  believe ;  but  not  being  required,  it  is  not 
brought  into  play,  and  therefore,  as  I  before  observed,  they 
have  not  the  resources  of  which  my  little  colony  at  present 
are  in  possession. 

Now  I  will  kill  a  cockroach  for  them ;  there  is  no  difficulty 
in  finding  one,  unfortunately  for  me,  for  they  know  everything 
that  I  have.  There  never  was  a  class  of  animals  so  indiffe- 
rent to  their  fare,  whether  it  be  paper,  or  snuff,  or  soap,  or 
cloth.  Like  Time,  they  devour  everything.  The  scoundrels 
have  nearly  demolished  two  dozen  antibilious  pills.  I  hope 
they  will  remember  Dr.  Vance  as  long  as  they  live. 

Well,  here's  one — a  fine  one.  I  throw  his  crushed  car- 
cass on  the  deck,  and  observe  the  ants  have  made  their  nest 
in  the  beams  over  my  head,  from  which  I  infer  that  the  said 
beams  are  not  quite  so  sound  as  they  should  be.  An  ant  has 
passed  by  the  carcass,  and  is  off  on  a  gallop  to  give  notice. 
He  meets  two  or  three,  stops  a  second,  and  passes  on.  Now 
the  tide  flows;  it's  not  above  a  minute  since  I  threw  the 
cockroach  down,  and  now  it  is  surrounded  by  hundreds.  What 
a  bustle  !  what  running  to  and  fro  !  They  must  be  giving 
orders.  See,  there  are  fifty  at  least,  who  lay  hold  of  each 
separate  leg  of  the  monster,  who  in  bulk  is  equal  to  eight 
thousand  of  them.  The  body  moves  along  with  rapidity, 
and  they  have  gained  the  side  of  the  cabin.  Now  for  the 
ascent.  See  how  those  who  hold  the  lower  legs  have  quitted 
them,  and  pass  over  to  assist  the  others  at  the  upper.  As 
there  is  not  room  for  all  to  lay  hold  of  the  creature's  legs, 
those  who  cannot,  fix  their  forceps  round  the  bodies  of  the 
others,  double-banking  them,  as  we  call  it.  Away  they  go, 
up  the  side  of  the  ship — a  steady  pull,  and  all  together.  But 
now  the  work  becomes  more  perilous,  for  they  have  to  convey 
the  body  to  their  nest  over  my  head,  which  is  three  feet  from 
the  side  of  the  ship.  How  can  they  possibly  carry  that  im- 
mense weight,  walking  with  their  heads  downwards,  and 
clinging  with  their  feet  to  the  beams  ?  Observe  how  care- 
fully they  turn  the  corner — what  bustle  and  confusion  in 
making  their  arrangements !  Now  they  start.  They  have 
brought  the  body  head-and-stern  with  the  ship,  so  that  all 
the  legs  are  exactly  opposed  to  each  other  in  the  direction 
239 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

in  which  they  wish  to  proceed.  One  of  the  legs  on  the  fore- 
side  is  advanced  to  its  full  stretch,  while  all  the  others  remain 
stationary.  That  leg  stops,  and  the  ants  attached  to  it  hold 
on  with  the  /est,  while  another  of  the  foremost  legs  is  ad- 
vanced. Thus  they  continue  until  all  the  foremost  are  out, 
and  the  body  of  the  animal  is  suspended  by  its  legs  at  its  full 
stretch.  Now  one  of  the  hindmost  legs  closes  in  to  the  body, 
while  all  the  others  hold  on — now  another,  and  another,  each 
in  their  turn ;  and  by  this  skilful  manoeuvre  they  have  con- 
trived to  advance  the  body  nearly  an  inch  along  the  ceiling. 
One  of  the  foremost  legs  advances  again,  and  they  proceed  as 
before.  Could  your  shore-going  ants  have  managed  this  ?  I 
have  often  watched  them  when  a  boy,  because  my  grand- 
mother used  to  make  me  do  so ;  in  later  days,  because  I 
delighted  in  their  industry  and  perseverance ;  but  alas  !  in 
neither  case  did  I  profit  by  their  example. 

"  Now,  Freddy,"  the  old  lady  would  say,  giving  her  spec- 
tacles a  preparatory  wipe,  as  she  basked  in  a  summer  evening's 
sun  after  a  five  o'clock  tea,  "  fetch  a  piece  of  bread  and  butter, 
and  we  will  see  the  ants  work.  Lord  bless  the  boy,  if  he 
hasn't  thrown  down  a  whole  slice.  Why  do  you  waste  good 
victuals  in  that  way  ?  Who  do  you  think's  to  eat  it  after 
it  has  been  on  the  gravel  ?  There,  pinch  a  bit  off  and  throw 
it  down.  Put  the  rest  back  upon  the  plate — it  will  do  for 
the  cat." 

But  these  ants  were  no  more  to  be  compared  to  mine  than 
a  common  labourer  is  to  the  engineer  who  directs  the  mechani- 
cal powers  which  raise  mountains  from  their  foundation.  My 
old  grandmother  would  never  let  me  escape  until  the  bread 
and  butter  was  in  the  hole,  and  what  was  worse,  I  had  then 
to  listen  to  the  moral  inference  which  was  drawn,  and  which 
took  up  more  time  than  the  ants  did  to  draw  the  bread  and 
butter— all  about  industry,  and  what  not — a  long  story,  partly 
her  own,  partly  borrowed  from  Solomon  ;  but  it  was  labour 
in  vain.  I  could  not  understand  why,  because  ants  like  bread 
and  butter,  I  must  like  my  book.  She  was  an  excellent  old 
woman  ;  but  nevertheless,  many  a  time  did  I  have  a  fellow- 
feeling  with  the  boy  in  the  caricature  print,  who  is  sitting 
with  his  old  grandmother  and  the  cat,  and  says,  "  I  wish  one 
of  us  three  were  dead.  It  an't  I — and  it  an't  you,  pussy." 

Well,  she  died  at  last,  full  of  years  and  honour ;  and  I  was 
240 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

summoned  from  school  to  attend  her  funeral.  My  uncle  was 
much  affected,  for  she  had  been  an  excellent  mother.  She 
might  have  been  so ;  but  I,  graceless  boy,  could  not  perceive 
her  merits  as  a  grandmother,  and  showed  a  great  deal  of  forti- 
tude upon  the  occasion.  I  recollect  a  circumstance  attendant 
upon  her  funeral  which,  connected  as  it  was  with  a  subse- 
quent one,  has  since  been  the  occasion  of  serious  reflection 
upon  the  trifling  causes  which  will  affect  the  human  mind 
when  prostrate  under  affliction.  My  grandmother's  remains 
were  consigned  to  an  old  family  vault  not  far  from  the  river. 
When  the  last  ceremonies  had  been  paid,  and  the  coffin  was 
being  lowered  into  the  deep  receptacle  of  generations  which 
had  passed  away,  I  looked  down,  and  it  was  full  of  water, 
nearly  up  to  the  arch  of  the  vault.  Observing  my  surprise, 
and  perceiving  the  cause,  my  uncle  was  much  annoyed  at  the 
circumstance;  but  it  was  too  late — the  cords  had  been  re- 
moved, and  my  grandmother  had  sunk  to  the  bottom.  My 
uncle  interrogated  the  sexton  after  the  funeral  service  was 
over. 

"  Why,  sir,  it's  because  it's  high-water  now  in  the  river  ;  she 
will  be  all  dry  before  the  evening." 

This  made  the  matter  worse.  If  she  was  all  a-dry  in  the 
evening,  she  would  be  all  afloat  again  in  the  morning.  It 
was  no  longer  a  place  of  rest,  and  my  uncle's  grief  was  much 
increased  by  the  idea.  For  a  long  while  afterwards  he 
appeared  uncommonly  thoughtful  at  spring  tides. 

But  although  his  grief  yielded  to  time,  the  impression  was 
not  to  be  effaced.  Many  years  afterwards  a  fair  cousin  was 
summoned  from  the  world  before  she  had  time  to  enter  upon 
the  duties  imposed  upon  the  sex,  or  be  convinced,  from  pain- 
ful experience,  that  to  die  is  gain.  It  was  then  I  perceived 
that  my  uncle  had  contracted  a  sort  of  post-mortem  hydro- 
phobia. He  fixed  upon  a  church,  on  the  top  of  a  hill,  and 
ordered  a  vault  to  be  dug,  at  a  great  expense,  out  of  the  solid 
chalk,  under  the  chancel  of  the  church.  There  it  would  not 
only  be  dry  below,  but  even  defended  from  the  rain  above. 
It  was  finished,  and  (the  last  moisture  to  which  she  was  ever 
to  be  subjected)  the  tears  of  affection  were  shed  over  her 
remains  by  those  who  lost  and  loved  her.  When  the  cere- 
mony was  over,  my  uncle  appeared  to  look  down  into  the 
vault  with  a  degree  of  satisfaction.  "  There,"  said  he,  "  she 
24-1  Q 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

will  lie  as  dry  as  possible  till  the  end  of  time."  And  I  really 
believe  that  this  conviction  on  his  part  went  further  to  console 
him  than  even  the  aid  of  religion  or  the  ministering  of  affec- 
tion. He  often  commented  upon  it,  and  as  often  as  he  did 
so,  I  thought  of  my  old  grandmother  and  the  spring  tides. 

I  had  an  odd  dream  the  other  night  about  my  own  burial 
and  subsequent  state,  which  was  so  diametrically  opposite  to 
my  uncle's  ideas  of  comfort,  that  I  will  relate  it  here. 

I  was  dead  ;  but  either  from  politeness  or  affection,  I  knew 
not  which,  the  spirit  still  lingered  with  the  body,  and  had  not 
yet  taken  its  flight,  although  the  tie  between  them  had  been 
dissolved.  I  had  been  killed  in  action  ;  and  the  first  lieutenant 
of  the  ship,  with  mingled  feelings  of  sorrow  and  delight — 
sorrow  at  my  death,  which  was  a  tribute  that  I  did  not  expect 
from  him,  and  delight  at  his  assumed  promotion,  for  the 
combat  had  been  brought  to  a  successful  issue — read  the 
funeral  service  which  consigned  me  and  some  twenty  others, 
sewed  up  in  hammocks,  to  the  deep,  into  which  we  descended 
with  one  simultaneous  rush. 

1  thought  that  we  soon  parted  company  from  each  other, 
and,  all  alone,  I  continued  to  sink,  sink,  sink,  until  at  last  I 
could  sink  no  deeper.  I  was  suspended,  as  it  were  :  I  had 
taken  my  exact  position  in  the  scale  of  gravity,  and  I  lay 
floating  upon  the  condensed  and  buoyant  fluid,  many  hundred 
fathoms  below  the  surface.  I  thought  to  myself,  "  Here,  then, 
am  I  to  lie  in  pickle  until  I  am  awakened."  It  was  quite 
dark,  but  by  the  spirit  I  saw  as  plain  as  if  it  were  noonday  ; 
and  I  perceived  objects  in  the  water,  which  gradually  increased 
in  size.  They  were  sharks  in  search  of  prey.  They  attacked 
me  furiously ;  and  as  they  endeavoured  to  drag  me  out  of 
my  canvas  cerements,  I  whirled  round  and  round  as  their  flat 
noses  struck  against  my  sides.  At  last  they  succeeded.  In  a 
moment  I  was  dismembered  without  the  least  pain,  for  pain 
had  been  left  behind  me  in  the  world  from  which  I  had  been 
released.  One  separated  a  leg  with  his  sharp  teeth,  and 
darted  away  north  ;  another  an  arm,  and  steered  south ;  each 
took  his  portion,  and  appeared  to  steer  away  in  a  different 
direction,  as  if  he  did  not  wish  to  be  interrupted  in  his 
digestion. 

"  Help  yourselves,  gentlemen,  help  yourselves,"  mentally 
exclaimed  I;  "but  if  Mr.  Young  is  correct  in  his  'Night 
242 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

Thoughts/  where  am  I  to  fumble  for  my  bones  when  they 
are  to  be  forthcoming  ?  "  Nothing  was  left  but  my  head,  and 
that,  from  superior  gravity,  continued  to  sink,  gyrating  in  its 
descent,  so  as  to  make  me  feel  quite  giddy ;  but  it  had  not 
gone  far  before  one,  who  had  not  received  his  portion,  darted 
down  upon  it  perpendicularly,  and  as  the  last  fragment  of 
me  rolled  down  his  enormous  gullet,  the  spirit  fled,  and  all 
was  darkness  and  oblivion. 

But  I  have  digressed  sadly  from  the  concatenation  of  ideas. 
The  ant  made  me  think  of  my  grandmother,  my  grandmother 
of  my  uncle,  my  uncle  of  my  cousin,  and  her  death  of  my 
dream,  for  "  We  are  such  stuff  as  dreams  are  made  of,  and  our 
little  lives  are  rounded  with  a  sleep."  But  I  had  not  finished 
all  I  had  to  say  relative  to  the  inferior  animals.  When  on 
board  of  a  man-of-war,  not  only  is  their  instinct  expanded, 
but  they  almost  change  their  nature  from  their  immediate 
contact  with  human  beings,  and  become  tame  in  an  incredibly 
short  space  of  time.  Man  had  dominion  given  unto  him  over 
the  beasts  of  the  field ;  the  fiercest  of  the  feline  race  will  not 
attack,  but  avoid  him,  unless  goaded  on  by  the  most  imperious 
demands  of  hunger ;  and  it  is  a  well-known  fact,  that  there  i:; 
a  power  in  the  eye  of  man  to  which  all  other  animals  quail. 
What,  then,  must  it  be  to  an  animal  who  is  brought  on  board, 
and  is  in  immediate  collision  with  hundreds,  whose  fearless 
eyes  meet  his  in  every  direction  in  which  he  turns,  and  whose 
behaviour  towards  him  corresponds  with  their  undaunted 
looks  ?  The  animal  is  subdued  at  once.  I  remember  a 
leopard  which  was  permitted  to  run  loose  after  he  had  been 
three  days  on  board,  although  it  was  thought  necessary  to 
bring  him  in  an  iron  cage.  He  had  not  been  in  the  ship 
more  than  a  fortnight,  when  I  observed  the  captain  of  the 
after-guard  rubbing  the  nose  of  the  animal  against  the  deck 
for  some  offence  which  he  had  committed. 

"  Why,  you  have  pretty  well  brought  that  gentleman  to  his 
bearings,"  observed  I;  "he's  as  tame  as  a  puppy." 

"  Tame  !  why,  sir,  he  knows  better  than  to  be  otherwise.  I 
wish  the  Hemp'rer  of  Maroccy  would  send  us  on  board  a  cock 
rhinoceros — we'd  tame  him  in  a  week." 

And  I  believe  the  man  was  correct  in  his  assertion. 

The  most  remarkable  change  of  habit  that  I  ever  witnessed 
was  in  a  wether  sheep,  on  board  of  a  frigate,  during  the  last 
243 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

war.  He  was  one  of  a  stock  which  the  captain  had  taken 
on  board  for  a  long  cruise,  and  being  the  only  survivor,  during 
the  time  that  the  ship  was  refitting  he  had  been  allowed  to 
run  about  the  decks,  and  had  become  such  a  favourite  with  the 
ship's  company,  that  the  idea  of  his  being  killed,  even  when 
short  of  fresh  provisions,  never  even  entered  into  the  head  of 
the  captain.  Jack,  for  such  was  his  cognomen,  lived  entirely 
with  the  men,  being  fed  with  biscuit  from  the  different  messes. 
He  knew  the  meaning  of  the  different  pipes  of  the  boatswain's 
mates,  and  always  went  below  when  they  piped  to  breakfast, 
dinner,  or  supper.  But  amongst  other  peculiarities,  he  would 
chew  tobacco  and  drink  grog.  Is  it  to  be  wondered,  therefore, 
that  he  was  a  favourite  with  the  sailors  ?  That  he  at  first  did 
this  from  obedience  is  possible ;  but,  eventually,  he  was  as  fond 
of  grog  as  any  of  the  men  ;  and  when  the  pipe  gave  notice  of 
serving  it  out,  he  would  run  aft  to  the  tub,  and  wait  his  turn  — 
for  an  extra  half-pint  of  water  was,  by  general  consent,  thrown 
into  the  tub  when  the  grog  was  mixed,  that  Jack  might  have 
his  regular  allowance.  From  habit,  the  animal  knew  exactly 
when  his  turn  came.  There  were  eighteen  messes  in  the  ship ; 
and  as  they  were  called,  by  the  purser's  steward  or  sergeant 
of  marines,  in  rotation — first  mess,  second  mess,  &c. — after  the 
last  mess  was  called  Jack  presented  himself  at  the  tub  and 
received  his  allowance. 

Now,  it  sometimes  occurred  that  a  mess,  when  called,  would 
miss  its  turn,  by  the  man  deputed  to  receive  the  liquor  not 
being  present ;  upon  which  occasion  the  other  messes  were 
served  in  rotation,  and  the  one  who  had  not  appeared  to  the 
call  was  obliged  to  wait  till  after  all  the  rest ;  but  a  circum- 
stance of  this  kind  always  created  a  great  deal  of  mirth ;  for 
the  sheep,  who  knew  that  it  was  his  turn  after  the  eighteenth, 
or  last  mess,  would  butt  away  any  one  who  attempted  to 
interfere ;  and  if  the  party  persevered  in  being  served  before 
Jack,  he  would  become  quite  outrageous,  flying  at  the  offender, 
and  butting  him  forward  into  the  galley,  and  sometimes  down 
the  hatchway,  before  his  anger  could  be  appeased — from  which 
it  would  appear  that  the  animal  was  passionately  fond  of 
spirits.  This  I  consider  as  great  a  change  in  the  nature  of  a 
ruminating  animal  as  can  well  be  imagined. 

I  could  mention  many  instances  of  this  kind,  but  I  shall  re- 
serve them  till  1  have  grown  older  ;  then  I  will  be  as  garrulous 
244 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

as  Montaigne.  As  it  is,  I  think  I  hear  the  reader  say,  "  All 
this  may  be  very  true,  but  what  has  it  to  do  with  the  novel  ?  " 
Nothing,  I  grant ;  but  it  has  a  great  deal  to  do  with  making  a 
book,  for  I  have  completed  a  whole  chapter  out  of  nothing. 


CHAPTER  XXXVIII 


-And  with  a  flowing  sail 


Went  a-bounding  for  the  island  of  the  free, 
Towards  which  the  impatient  wind  blew  half  a  gale  ; 
High  dashed  the  spray,  the  bows  dipped  in  the  sea. 

BYRON. 

AFTER  a  run  of  six  weeks  the  Aspasia  entered  the  Channel. 
The  weather,  which  had  been  clear  during  the  passage  home, 
now  altered  its  appearance  ;  and  a  dark  sky,  thick  fog,  and 
mizzling,  cold  rain  intimated  their  approach  to  the  English 
shore.  But  relaxed  as  they  had  been  by  three  years'  endur- 
ance of  a  tropical  sun,  it  was  nevertheless  a  source  of  con- 
gratulation, rather  than  complaint ;  for  it  was  "  regular 
November  Channel  weather,"  and  was  associated  with  their 
propinquity  to  those  homes  and  firesides,  which  would  be 
enhanced  in  value  from  the  ordeal  to  be  passed  before  they 
could  be  enjoyed. 

"  Hah  !"  exclaimed  an  old  quartermaster,  who  had  served 
the  earlier  part  of  his  life  in  a  coaster,  as  he  buttoned  his 
pea-jacket  up  to  the  throat ;  "  this  is  what  I  calls  something 
like  ;  none  of  your  d — d  blue  skies  here." 

Such  is  the  power  of  affection,  whether  of  person  or  of 
things,  that  even  faults  become  a  source  of  endearment. 

As  the  short  day  closed,  the  Aspasia,  who  was  running  be- 
fore the  wind  and  slanting  rain,  which  seemed  to  assist  her 
speed  with  its  gravity,  hove  to,  and  tried  for  soundings. 

"  Well,  Stewart,  what's  the  news  ?  "  said  one  of  the  mid- 
shipmen, as  he  entered  the  berth  ;  the  drops  of  rain,  which 
hung  upon  the  rough  exterior  of  his  greatcoat,  glittering  like 
small  diamonds,  from  the  reflection  of  the  solitary  candle, 
which  made  darkness  but  just  visible. 

"News,"  replied  Stewart,  taking  off  his  hat  with  a  jerk,  so 
245 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

as  to  besprinkle  the  face  of  Prose  with  the  water  that  had 
accumulated  on   the  top  of  it,  and  laughing  at  his  sudden 
start  from  the  unexpected  shower ;  "  why,  as  the  fellows  roar 
out  with  the  second  edition  of  an  evening  paper, '  Great  news, 
glorious   news  ! '  — and    all    comprised   in   a   short  sentence  : 
Soundings  in  seventy -four  fathoms  ;  grey  sand  and  shells." 
"  Huzza  ! "  answered  the  old  master's  mate. 
"  Now  for  three  cheers,  and  then  for  the  song." 
The  three  cheers  having  been  given  with  due  emphasis, 
if  not  discretion,  they  all  stood  up  round  the  table.     "  Now, 
my  boys,  keep  time.      Mr.   Prose,  if  you  attempt  to  chime 
in   with    your    confounded    nasal   twang,    I'll    give    you    a- 
squeeze." 

"  For  England,  when,  with  favouring  gale, 

Our  gallant  ship  up  channel  steered, 
And,  scudding  under  easy  sail, 

The  high  blue  western  land  appeared, 
To  heave  the  lead  the  seaman  sprung, 
And  to  the  watchful  pilot  sung, 
By  the  deep  nine." 

The  song,  roared  out  in  grand  chorus  by  the  midship- 
men, was  caught  up,  after  the  first  verse,  by  the  marines 
in  their  berth,  close  to  them ;  and  from  them  passed  along 
the  lower  deck  as  it  continued,  so  that  the  last  stanzas 
were  sung  by  nearly  two  hundred  voices,  sending  forth  a 
volume  of  sound  that  penetrated  into  every  recess  of  the 
vessel,  and  entered  into  the  responsive  bosoms  of  all  on 
board,  not  excepting  the  captain  himself,  who  smiled,  as 
he  bent  over  the  break  of  the  gangway,  at  what  he  would 
have  considered  a  breach  of  subordination  in  the  ship's 
company,  had  not  he  felt  that  it  arose  from  that  warm 
attachment  to  their  country  which  had  created  our  naval 
pre-eminence. 

The  song  ended  with  tumultuous  cheering  fore  and  aft, 
and  not  until  then  did  the  captain  send  down  to  request 
that  the  noise  might  be  discontinued.  As  soon  as  it  was 
over,  the  grog  was  loudly  called  for  in  the  midshipmen's 
berth,  and  made  its  appearance. 

"  Here's  to  the  white  cliffs  of  England,"  cried  one,  drink- 
ing off  his  tumbler,  and  turning  it  upside  down  on  the  table. 
246 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

«  Here's  to  the  Land  of  Beauty." 

"Here's  to  the  Emerald  Isle." 

"  And  here's  to  the  Land  of  Cakes,"  cried  Stewart,  drinking 
off  his  tumbler,  and  throwing  it  over  his  shoulder. 

"  Six  for  one  for  skylarking,"  cried  Prose. 

"A  hundred  for  one,  you  d — d  cockney,  for  all  I  care." 

«  No — no — no,"  cried  all  the  berth  ;  "  not  one  for  one." 

"You  shall  have  a  song  for  it,  my  boys,"  cried  Stewart, 
who  immediately  commenced,  with  great  taste  and  execution, 
the  beautiful  air — 

"  Should  auld  acquaintance  be  forgot, 

And  the  days  o'  auld  lang  syne  ?  " 

"  Well,  I've  not  had  my  toast  yet,"  said  Jerry,  when  the 
applause  at  the  end  of  the  song  had  discontinued :  "  Here's 
to  the  shady  side  of  Pall  Mall." 

"  And  I  suppose,"  said  Stewart,  giving  Prose  a  slap  on  the 
back,  which  took  his  breath  away,  "  that  you  are  thinking  of 
Wapping,  blow  you." 

"I  think  I  have  had  enough  of  whopping  since  I've  been 
in  this  ship,"  answered  Prose. 

"Why,  Prose,  you're  quite  brilliant,  I  do  declare,"  observed 
Jerry.  "  Like  a  flint,  you  only  require  a  blow  from  Stewart's 
iron  fist  to  emit  sparks.  Try  him  again,  Stewart.  He's  like 
one  of  the  dancing  dervishes  in  the  '  Arabian  Nights '  :  you 
must  thrash  him  to  get  a  few  farthings  of  wit  out  of  him." 

"  I  do  wish  that  you  would  keep  your  advice  to  yourself, 
Jerry." 

"  My  dear  Prose,  it's  all  for  the  honour  of  Middlesex  that 
I  wish  you  to  shine.  I'm  convinced  that  there's  a  great 
deal  of  wit  in  that  head  of  yours,  but  it's  confined,  like  the 
kernel  in  a  nut  :  there's  no  obtaining  it  without  breaking 
the  shell.  Try  him  again,  Stewart." 

"  Come,  Prose,  I'll  take  your  part,  and  try  his  own  receipt 
upon  himself.  I'll  thrash  him  till  he  says  something  witty." 

"  I  do  like  that  amazingly,"  replied  Jerry.  "  Why,  if  I 
do  say  a  good  thing,  you'll  never  find  out.  I  shall  be 
thrashed  to  all  eternity.  Besides,  I'm  at  too  great  a  distance 
from  you." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"  Why,  I'm  like  some  cows ;  I  don't  give  down  my  milk 
247 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

without  the  calf  is  alongside  of  me.  Now,  if  you  were  on 
this  side  of  the  table " 

"  Which  I  am,"  replied  Stewart,  as  he  sprang  over  it,  and 
seizing  Jerry  by  the  neck.  "Now,  Mr.  Jerry,  say  a  good 
thing  directly." 

"  Well,  promise  me  to  understand  it.  We  are  just  in  the 
reverse  situation  of  England  and  Scotland  after  the  battle 
of  Culloden." 

"  What  do  you  mean  by  that,  you  wretch  ?  "  cried  Stewart, 
whose  wrath  was  kindled  by  the  reference. 

"Why,  I'm  in  your  clutches,  just  like  Scotland  was.— a 
conquered  country." 

"  You  lie,  you  little  blackguard,"  cried  Stewart,  pinching 
Jerry's  neck  till  he  forced  his  mouth  open ;  "  Scotland  was 
never  conquered." 

"Well,  then,"  continued  Jerry,  whose  bile  was  up,  as  soon 
as  Stewart  relaxed  his  hold,  "  I'm  like  King  Charles  in  the 
hands  of  the  Scotch.  How  much  was  it  that  you  sold  him 
for  ?  " 

Jerry's  shrivelled  carcass  sounded  like  a  drum  from  the 
blow  which  he  received  for  this  second  insult  to  Stewart's 
idolised  native  land.  As  soon  as  he  could  recover  his  speech, 
"Well,  haven't  I  been  very  witty?  Are  you  content,  or  will 
you  have  some  more  ?  or  will  you  try  Prose,  and  see  whether 
you  can  draw  blood  out  of  a  turnip  ?  " 

Stewart,  who  seemed  disinclined  to  have  any  more  elegant 
extracts  from  Jerry,  resumed  his  former  seat  by  Prose,  who 
appeared  to  be  in  deep  reflection. 

"  Well,  Prose,  are  you  thinking  of  your  friends  in  Cheap- 
side  ?  " 

"  And  suppose  I  am,  Stewart  ?  We  have  the  same  feelings 
in  the  city  that  you  have  in  the  heather ;  and  although  I  do 
not,  like  you,  pretend  to  be  allied  to  former  kings,  yet  one 
may  love  one's  father  and  mother,  brothers  and  sisters,  with- 
out being  able  to  trace  back  to  one's  great-great-grandfather. 
I  never  disputed  your  high  pretensions  ;  why,  then,  interfere 
with  my  humble  claims  to  the  common  feelings  of  humanity  ?  " 

"I  am  rebuked,  Prose,"  replied  Stewart;  "you  shall  have 
my  glass  of  grog  for  that  speech,  for  you  never  made  a  better. 
Give  me  your  hand,  my  good  fellow." 

"  I  am  glad  that  you,  at  last,  show  some  symptoms  of 
248 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

reason,"  observed  the  still  indignant  Jerry,  standing  close  to 
the  door.  "  I  have  some  hopes  of  your  Majesty  yet,  after 
such  an  extraordinary  concession  on  your  part.  You  must 
have  great  reason  to  be  proud  that  you  are  able  to  trace  your 
pedigree  up  to  a  border  chieftain,  who  sallied  forth  on  the 
foray  when  the  spurs  were  dished  up  for  his  dinner ;  or,  in 
plain  words,  went  a  cattle-stealing,  and  robbing  those  who 
could  not  resist.  It  might  then  be  considered  a  mark  of 
prowess  ;  but  times  are  altered  now  ;  and  if  your  celebrated 
ancestor  lived  in  the  present  time,  why "  (continued  Jerry, 
pointing  his  finger  under  his  left  ear),  "  he  would  receive  what 
he  well  deserved,  that's  all." 

"  By  Him  that  made  me,  get  out  of  my  reach,  if  you  do  not 
wish  me  to  murder  you  ! "  cried  Stewart,  pale  with  rage. 

"  I  took  care  of  that,"  replied  Jerry,  "before  I  ventured  to 
give  my  opinion;  and  now  that  I'm  ready  for  a  start,  I'll  give 
you  a  piece  of  advice.  Trace  your  ancestors  as  far  back  as 
you  can,  as  long  as  they  have  continued  to  be  honest  men — 
if  you  don't  stop  there  you  are  a  fool  " — and  Jerry  very  pru- 
dently made  his  escape  at  the  conclusion  of  his  sentence. 

"The  hour  of  retribution  will  come,"  cried  Stewart  after 
Jerry,  as  the  latter  sprang  up  the  ladder ;  but  it  did  not,  for 
when  they  met  next  morning  it  was  to  feast  their  eyes  upon 
the  chalky  cliffs  of  the  Isle  of  Wight,  as  the  Aspasia  steered 
for  the  Needles.  There  are  two  events  on  board  of  a  man-of- 
war,  after  which  injuries  are  forgotten,  apologies  are  offered 
and  received,  intended  duels  are  suppressed,  hands  are 
exchanged  in  friendship,  and  goodwill  drives  away  long- 
cherished  animosity.  One  is,  after  an  action  ;  another,  upon 
the  sight  of  native  land  after  a  protracted  absence. 

Jerry  fearlessly  ranged  up  alongside  of  Stewart  as  he  looked 
over  the  gangway. 

"  We  shall  be  at  anchor  by  twelve  o'clock." 

"  You  may  bless  your  stars  for  it,"  replied  Stewart  with  a 
significant  smile. 

The  Aspasia  now  ran  through  the  Needles,  and  having  suc- 
cessively passed  by  Hurst  Castle,  Cowes,  and  the  entrance 
to  Southampton  Water,  brought  up  at  Spithead  in  seven 
fathoms.  The  sails  were  furled,  the  ship  was  moored,  the 

boat  was  manned,  and  Captain  M went  on  shore  to  report 

himself  to  the  port  admiral,  and  deliver  his  despatches. 
249 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

When  the  boat  returned,  it  brought  off  letters  which  had 
been  waiting  the  arrival  of  the  ship.  One  informed  Jerry  of 
the  death  of  his  father,  and  of  his  being  in  possession  of 
a  fortune  which  enabled  him  to  retire  from  the  service. 
Another,  from  the  Admiralty,  announced  the  promotion  of 
Stewart  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant ;  and  one  from  M'Elvina  to 
our  hero,  inviting  him  to  take  up  his  quarters  at  his  house  as 
long  as  the  service  would  permit,  stating  that  Captain  M  — 
had  been  written  to,  to  request  that  he  might  be  allowed 
leave  of  absence. 

As  soon  as  Captain  M had  received  an  answer  from  the 

Admiralty,  he  returned  on  board,  and  acquainted  his  officers 
that  he  had  obtained  leave  to  remain  on  shore  for  some  time 
for  the  re-establishment  of  his  health,  and  that  another  captain 
would  be  appointed  to  the  ship.  He  turned  the  hands  up, 
and  addressed  the  ship's  company,  thanking  them  for  their 
good  behaviour  while  under  his  command,  and  expressing  his 
hopes  that  upon  his  reappointment  he  should  find  them  all 
alive  and  well.  The  first  lieutenant,  to  his  great  surprise  and 
delight,  was  presented  with  his  rank  as  commander,  which 

Captain  M had  solicited  from  the  Admiralty.     The  men 

were  dismissed,  and  Captain  M ,  bidding  farewell  to  his 

officers,  descended  the  side  and  shoved  off.  As  soon  as  the 
boat  was  clear  of  the  frigate,  the  men,  without  orders,  ran  up, 
and  manning  the  shrouds,  saluted  him  with  three  farewell 

cheers.      Captain  M took  off  his  hat  to  the  compliment, 

and  muffling  up  his  face  with  his  boat-cloak  to  conceal  his 
emotion,  the  boat  pulled  for  the  shore. 

Seymour,  who  was  in  the  boat,  followed  his  captain  to  the 
inn,  who  informed  him  that  he  had  obtained  his  discharge 
into  a  guardship,  that  his  time  might  go  on,  and  leave  of 
absence  for  two  months,  which  he  might  spend  with  his  friend 

M'Elvina.      Captain  M then  dismissed  him  with  a  friendly 

shake  of  the  hand,  desiring  him  to  write  frequently,  and  to 
draw  upon  his  agent  if  he  required  any  pecuniary  assistance. 

Seymour's  heart  was  full,  and  he  could  not  answer  his  kind 
protector.  He  returned  on  board,  and  bidding  farewell  to  his 
messmates,  the  next  evening  he  had  arrived  at  the  cottage  of 
M'Elvina.  That  his  1'eception  was  cordial,  it  is  hardly  neces- 
sary to  state.  M'Elvina,  whose  marriage  had  not  been  blessed 
with  a  family,  felt  towards  our  hero  as  if  he  was  his  own  child  ; 
250 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

and  Susan  was  delighted  with  the  handsome  exterior  and 
winning  manners  of  the  lad,  whose  boyish  days  had  often  been 
the  theme  of  her  husband's  conversation. 

If  the  reader  will  take  the  trouble  to  reckon  with  his 
fingers,  he  will  find  that  William  Seymour  is  now  sixteen 
years  old.  If  he  will  not,  he  must  take  my  word  for  it ;  and 
it  may  also  be  as  well  to  inform  him  that  Miss  Rainscourt  is 
more  than  fourteen.  I  am  the  more  particular  in  mentioning 
these  chronological  facts,  because  in  the  next  chapter  I  intend 
to  introduce  the  parties  to  each  other. 


CHAPTER  XXXIX 

A  strong  bull  stands,  threat'ning  furious  war  ; 
He  flourishes  his  horns,  looks  sourly  round, 
And,  hoarsely  bellowing,  traverses  his  ground. 

BLACKMORB. 

IT  was  on  the  second  day  after  the  arrival  of  Seymour  that 
Emily,  who  was  not  aware  of  the  addition  to  the  party  at  the 
cottage,  proceeded  on  foot  through  the  park  and  field  adjacent 
to  pay  Susan  a  visit.  She  was  attended  by  a  man-servant  in 
livery,  who  carried  some  books,  which  Mrs.  M'Elvina  had  ex- 
pressed a  desire  to  read.  When  Emily  had  arrived  at  the  last 
field,  which  was  rented  by  a  farmer  hard  by,  she  was  surprised 
to  perceive  that  it  was  occupied  by  an  unpleasant  tenant,  to 
wit,  a  large  bull ;  who  on  their  approach  commenced  pawing 
the  ground,  and  showing  every  symptom  of  hostility.  She 

r'  ckened  her  pace,  and  as  the  animal  approached,  found  that 
had  gained  much  nearer  to  the  stile  before  her  than  to 
the  one  which  she  had  just  passed  over,  and  frightened  as 
she  was,  she  determined  to  proceed.  The  servant  who  accom- 
panied her  manifested  more  fear  than  she  did.  As  the  bull 
approached,  Emily,  who  had  heard  what  precautions  should 
be  taken  in  a  similar  exigence,  turned  her  face  towards  the 
animal,  and  walked  backwards  to  the  stile.  The  domestic 
seemed  determined  to  preserve  the  exact  station  which  his 
duty  and  respect  required,  and  kept  himself  behind  his  young 
mistress.  As,  however,  the  bull  advanced,  and  seemed  inclined 
251 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

to  charge  upon  them,  his  fears  would  not  permit  him  to 
remain  in  that  situation,  and  throwing  down  the  books,  he 
took  to  his  heels,  and  ran  for  a  gap  in  the  hedge.  By  this 
manoauvre,  Emily  was  left  to  make  any  arrangements  she 
pleased  with  the  infuriated  animal. 

But  the  bull  had  no  quarrel  with  a  lady,  dressed  in  a  white 
muslin  frock  ;  he  had  taken  offence  at  the  i-ed  plush  inexpres- 
sibles, which  were  a  part  of  the  family  livery,  and  immedi- 
ately ran  at  the  servant,  passing  Emily  without  notice.  The 
terrified  man  threw  himself  in  an  agony  of  fright  into  the  gap, 
but  was  so  paralysed  with  fear  that  he  had  no  strength  to  force 
his  passage  through.  With  his  head  and  shoulders  on  the 
other  side  of  the  hedge,  there  he  stuck  on  his  hands  and  knees, 
offering  a  fair  target  to  the  bull,  who  flew  at  it  with  such 
violence  that  he  forced  him  several  yards  into  the  opposite 
field.  Senseless  and  exhausted,  he  lay  there  more  from  fear 
than  injury,  while  the  roaring  bull  paced  up  and  down  the 
hedge,  with  his  tail  in  the  air,  attempting  in  vain  to  force  a 
passage  in  pursuit  of  the  object  of  his  detestation. 

The  mind  of  woman  is  often  more  powerful  than  her  frame, 
and  the  one  will  bear  up  against  circumstances  in  which  the 
other  will  succumb.  Thus  it  was  with  Emily,  who  reached 
the  stile,  clambered  over  it  with  difficulty,  and  attaining 
the  house  of  M'Elvina,  which  was  but  a  few  yards  distant,  felt 
that  her  powers  failed  her  as  soon  as  exertion  was  no  longer 
required.  With  difficulty  she  perceived  with  her  swimming 
eyes  that  there  was  a  gentleman  in  the  parlour ;  and  faintly 
exclaiming,  "  O  Mr.  M'Elvina  !  "  fell  senseless  into  the  arms 
of  William  Seymour. 

Mr.  and  Mrs.  M'Elvina  were  not  at  home  ;  they  had  walked 
to  the  vicarage  ;  and  Seymour,  who  was  very  busy  finishing  a 
sketch  of  the  Aspasia  for  his  hostess,  had  declined  accompany- 
ing them  in  their  visit.  His  surprise  at  finding  a  young  lady 
in  his  arms  may  easily  be  imagined ;  but  great  as  was  his 
surprise,  his  distress  was  greater,  from  the  extreme  novelty  of 
the  situation.  It  was  not  that  he  was  unaccustomed  to  female 
society:  on  the  contrary,  his  captain  had  introduced  him 
everywhere  in  the  different  ports  of  the  colonies  in  which  they 
had  anchored ;  and  perhaps  there  is  no  better  society,  although 
limited,  than  is  to  be  met  with  at  the  table  of  a  colonial 
governor.  But  here  it  was  quite  different.  He  had  been 
252 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

habituated  to  follow  in  the  wake,  as  the  lady  governess  made 
sail  for  the  dining-room,  the  whole  fleet  forming  two  lines 
abreast  in  close  order,  and  then  coming  to  an  anchor,  in 
beautiful  precision,  to  attack  the  dinner,  which  surrendered  at 
discretion.  He  had  been  habituated  to  the  ball-room,  where 
the  ladies  glided  over  the  chalked  floor,  like  so  many  beautiful 
yachts  plying  in  Southampton  Water  on  a  fine  day  ;  he  had 
tried  his  rate  of  sailing  down  the  middle  of  a  country  dance 
with  some  fair  partner,  and  tacked  and  wore  as  required  to 
the  mazes  of  poussette  and  right  and  left.  This  was  all  plain 
sailing ;  but  the  case  was  now  quite  different.  Here  was  a 
strange  sail,  who  had  not  even  shown  her  number,  taken  aback 
in  stays,  and  on  her  beam-ends  in  a  squall. 

Seymour  knew  nothing  about  fainting.  Sometimes  a  man 
had  fits  on  board  a  ship  (although  invariably  discharged  when 
it  was  known)  ;  but  the  only  remedy  in  a  man-of-war,  in  such 
cases,  was  to  lay  the  patient  down  between  the  guns,  and  let 
him  come -to  at  his  own  leisure.  It  was  impossible  to  act  so 
in  this  case  ;  and  Seymour,  as  he  bent  over  the  beautiful  pale 
countenance  of  Emily,  felt  that  he  never  could  be  tired  of  hold- 
ing her  in  his  arms.  However,  as  it  was  necessary  that  some- 
thing should  be  done,  he  laid  her  down  on  the  sofa,  and  seizing 
the  bell-rope,  pulled  it  violently  for  assistance.  The  wire  had 
been  previously  slackened,  and  the  force  which  Seymour  used 
brought  down  the  rope  without  ringing  the  bell.  There  was 
but  one  in  the  room  ;  and  not  choosing  to  leave  Emily,  he  was 
again  compelled  to  rely  on  his  own  resources.  What  was  good 
for  her  ?  WTater  ?  There  was  none  in  the  room,  except  what 
he  had  been  painting  with,  and  that  was  desperately  discoloured 
with  the  Indian  ink.  Nevertheless,  he  snatched  up  his  large 
brush  which  he  used  for  washing-in  his  skies,  and  commenced 
painting  her  face  and  temples  with  the  discoloured  water,  but 
without  producing  the  desired  effect  of  reanimation. 

What  next  ?  Oh,  salts  and  burnt  feathers  ;  he  had  read  of 
them  in  a  novel.  Salts  he  had  none,  burnt  feathers  were  to  be 
procured.  There  were  two  live  birds,  called  cardinals,  belong- 
ing to  Mrs.  M'Elvina,  in  a  cage  near  the  window,  and  there 
was  also  a  stuffed  green  parrot  in  a  glass  case.  Seymour  showed 
his  usual  presence  of  mind  in  his  decision.  The  tails  of  the 
live  birds  would  in  all  probability  grow  again,  that  of  the 
stuffed  parrot  never  could.  He  put  his  hand  into  the  cage, 
253 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

and  seizing  the  fluttering  proprietors,  pulled  out  both  their 
long  tails,  and  having  secured  the  door  of  the  cage,  thrust  the 
ends  of  the  feathers  into  the  fire,  and  applied  them,  frizzing 
and  spluttering,  to  the  nostrils  of  Emily.  But  they  were  re- 
placed in  the  fire  again  and  again,  until  they  would  emit  no 
more  smoke,  and  Emily  still  continued  in  a  state  of  insensi- 
bility. There  was  no  help  for  it — the  parrot,  which  he  knew 
Mrs.  MfElvina  was  partial  to,  must  be  sacrificed.  A  blow 
with  the  poker  demolished  the  glass,  and  the  animal  was 
wrenched  off  its  perch,  and  the  tail  inserted  between  the 
bars  of  the  grate.  But  burnt  feathers  were  of  no  use  ;  and 
Seymour,  when  he  had  burnt  down  the  parrot's  tail  to  the 
stump,  laid  it  upon  the  table  in  despair. 

He  now  began  to  be  seriously  alarmed,  and  the  beauty  of 
the  object  heightened  his  pity  and  commiseration.  His 
anxiety  increased  to  that  degree  that,  losing  his  presence  of 
mind,  and  giving  way  to  his  feelings,  he  apostrophised  the 
inanimate  form,  and  hanging  over  it  with  the  tenderness  of 
a  mother  over  her  lifeless  child,  as  a  last  resource  kissed  its 
lips  again  and  again  with  almost  frantic  anxiety.  At  the 
time  of  his  most  eager  application  of  this  last  remedy, 
M'Elvina  and  Susan  entered  the  room,  without  his  being 
aware  of  their  approach. 

The  parrot  on  the  table,  with  his  tail  still  burning  like  a 
slow  match,  first  caught  their  eyes  ;  and  as  they  advanced 
further  in,  there  was  Seymour,  to  their  astonishment,  kissing 
a  young  lady  to  whom  he  had  never  been  introduced,  and 
who  appeared  to  be  quite  passive  to  his  endearments. 

"  Seymour  !  "  cried  M'Elvina,  "  what  is  all  this  ?  " 

"  I'm  glad  you've  come  ;  I  cannot  bring  her  to.  I've  tried 
everything." 

"  So  it  appears.  Why,  you've  smothered  her — she's  black 
in  the  face,"  replied  M'Elvina,  observing  the  marks  of  the 
Indian  ink  upon  Emily's  cheek. 

Susan,  who  immediately  perceived  the  condition  of  Emily, 
applied  her  salts,  and  desired  M'Elvina  to  call  the  women. 
In  a  few  minutes,  whether  it  was  that  the  remedies  were 
more  effectual,  or  Nature  had  resumed  her  powers,  Emily 
opened  her  eyes,  and  was  carried  upstairs  into  Mrs. 
M'Elvina's  room. 

We  must  return  to  the  servant,  who,  with  no  other  injury 
254 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

than  a  severe  contusion  of  the  os  coccygis,  from  the  frontal 
bone  of  the  bull,  recovered  his  senses  and  his  legs  at  the  same 
moment,  and  never  ceased  exerting  the  latter  until  he  arrived 
at  —  —  Hall,  where  he  stated,  what  indeed  he  really  be- 
lieved to  be  the  case,  that  Miss  Emily  had  been  gored  to 
death  by  the  bull ;  asserting  at  the  same  time,  what  was 
equally  incorrect,  that  he  had  nearly  been  killed  himself 
in  attempting  her  rescue.  The  tidings  were  communicated 
to  Mrs.  Rainseourt,  who,  frantic  at  the  intelligence,  without 
bonnet  or  shawl,  flew  down  the  park  towards  the  fields, 
followed  by  all  the  servants  of  the  establishment,  armed  with 
guns,  pitchforks,  and  any  other  weapons  that  they  could 
obtain  at  the  moment  of  hurry  and  trepidation.  They  arrived 
at  the  field  ;  the  bull  was  there,  waiting  for  them  at  the 
stile,  for  he  had  observed  them  at  a  distance,  and  as  he  was 
now  opposed  to  half-a-dozen  pair  of  inexpressibles,  instead  of 
one,  his  wrath  was  proportionally  increased.  He  pawed  the 
ground,  bellowed,  and  made  divers  attempts  to  leap  the  stile, 
which,  had  he  effected,  it  is  probable  that  more  serious 
mischief  would  have  occurred.  The  whole  party  stood  aghast ; 
while  Mrs  Rainseourt  screamed,  and  called  for  her  child — 
her  child  ;  and  attempted  to  recover  her  liberty  from  the 
arms  of  those  who  held  her,  and  rush  into  the  field  to  her 
own  destruction. 

The  farmer  to  whom  the  animal  belonged  had  heard  his 
bellowing  on  the  first  assault,  and  had  come  out  to  ascertain 
the  cause.  He  was  just  in  time  to  behold  the  footman  pushed 
through  the  hedge,  and  to  witness  the  escape  of  Emily  into 
the  house  of  M'Elvina.  Intending  to  remove  the  animal,  he 
returned  to  his  dinner,  when  his  resumed  bellowing  summoned 
him  again,  and  perceiving  the  cause,  he  joined  the  party,  and 
addressing  Mrs.  Rainseourt,  "The  young  lady  is  all  safe, 
ma'am,  in  the  gentleman's  house  yonder.  The  brute's  quiet 
enough  ;  it's  all  along  of  them  red  breeches  that  angers  him. 
A  bull  can't  abide  'em,  ma'am." 

"  Safe,  do  you  say  ?    Thank  God.     Oh,  take  me  to  her." 

"This  way,  ma'am,  then,"  said  the  farmer,  leading  her 
round  the  hedge  to  the  cottage  of  M'Elvina  by  a  more 
circuitous  way. 

Susan  had  just  called  up  M'Elvina,  and  Seymour  was  again 
left  to  himself  in  the  parlour,  when  Mrs.  -Rainseourt,  bursting 
255 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

from  those  who  conducted  her,  tottered  in,  and  sank  exhausted 
on  the  sofa.  Seymour,  to  whom  the  whole  affair  was  a 
mystery,  and  who  had  been  ruminating  upon  it,  and  upon 
the  sweet  lips  which  he  had  pressed,  in  utter  astonishment 
cried  out,  "  What !  another  ?  "  Not  choosing,  in  this  instance., 
to  trust  to  his  own  resources,  he  contented  himself  With  again 
shoving  the  parrot's  tail  between  the  bars,  and  as  he  held  it 
to  his  patient's  nose,  loudly  called  out  for  .M'Elvina,  who, 
summoned  by  his  appeals,  with  many  others  entered  the 
room,  and  relieved  him  of  his  charge,  who  soon  recovered, 
and  joined  her  daughter  in  the  room  upstairs. 

The  carriage  had  been  sent  for  to  convey  Mrs.  Rainscourt 
and  her  daughter  home.  When  they  came  down  into  the 
parlour,  previous  to  their  departure,  Seymour  was  formally 
introduced,  and  received  the  thanks  of  Mrs.  Rainscourt  for 
the  attention  which  he  had  paid  to  her  daughter,  and  a 
general  invitation  to  the  Hall. 

Emily,  to  whom  Susan  had  communicated  the  panacea  to 
which  Seymour  had  ultimately  resorted,  blushed  deeply  as 
she  .smiled  her  adieux  ;  and  our  hero,  as  the  carriage  whirled 
away,  felt  a  sensation  as  new  to  him  as  that  of  Cymon  when 
ignited  by  the  rays  of  beauty  which  flashed  from  the  sleeping 
Iphigenia. 


CHAPTER  XL 

Idiots  only  will  be  cozened  twice. 

DRYDEN. 

SEYMOUR  did  not  fail  to  profit  by  the  invitation  extended 
by  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  and  soon  became  the  inseparable  com- 
panion of  Emily.  His  attentions  to  her  were  a  source  of 
amusement  to  the  M'Elvinas  and  her  mother,  who  thought 
little  of  a  flirtation  between  a  midshipman  of  sixteen  and  ;i 
girl  that  was  two  years  his  junior.  The  two  months'  leave 
of  absence  having  expired,  Seymour  was  obliged  to  return  to 
the  guardship,  on  the  books  of  which  his  name  had  been 
enrolled.  It  was  with  a  heavy  heart  that  he  bade  farewell 
to  the  M'Elvinas.  He  had  kissed  away  the  tears  of  separation 
from  the  cheeks  of  Emily,  and  their  young  love,  unalloyed 
256 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

as  that  between  a  brother  and  sister,  created  an  uneasy  sen- 
sation in  either  heart  which  absence  could  not  remove. 

When  our  hero  reported  himself  to  the  commanding  officer 
of  the  guardship,  he  was  astonished  at  his  expressing  a  total 
ignorance  of  his  belonging  to  her,  and  sent  down  for  the  clerk 
to  know  if  his  name  was  on  the  books. 

The  clerk,  a  spare,  middle-sized  personage,  remarkably 
spruce  and  neat  in  his  attire,  and  apparently  about  forty 
years  of  age,  made  his  appearance  with  the  open  list  under 
his  arm,  and  with  a  humble  bow  to  the  first  lieutenant,  laid 
it  upon  the  capstan-head,  and  running  over  several  pages 
from  the  top  to  the  bottom  with  his  finger,  at  last  discovered 
our  hero's  name. 

"  It's  all  right,  young  gentleman,"  said  the  first  lieutenant. 
"Take  him  down  to  the  berth,  Mr.  Skrimmage,  and  intro- 
duce him.  You've  brought  your  hammock,  of  course,  and  it 
is  to  be  hoped  that  your  chest  has  a  good  lock  upon  it ;  if 
not,  I  can  tell  you  you'll  not  find  all  your  clothes  tally  with 
your  division  list  by  to-morrow  morning.  But  we  cannot  help 
these  things  here.  We  are  but  a  sort  of  a  'thoroughfare,' 
and  every  man  must  take  care  of  himself." 

Seymour  thanked  the  first  lieutenant  for  his  caution,  and 
descended  with  the  clerk,  who  requested  him  to  step  into 
his  private  cabin  previous  to  being  ushered  into  the  gun- 
room, where  the  midshipmen's  mess  was  held,  and  of  which 
Mr.  Skrimmage  filled  the  important  post  of  caterer.  "  Mrs. 
Skrimmage,  my  dear,"  said  Seymour's  conductor,  "  allow  me 
to  introduce  to  you  Mr.  Seymour."  The  lady  courtesied  with 
great  affectation  and  an  air  of  condescension,  and  requested 
our  hero  to  take  a  chair ;  soon  after  which  Mr.  Skrimmage 
commenced,  "  It  is  the  custom,  my  dear  sir,  in  this  ship,  for 
every  gentleman  who  joins  the  midshipmen's  berth  to  put 
down  one  guinea  as  entrance  money,  after  which  the  sub- 
scription is  restricted  to  the  sum  of  five  shillings  per  week, 
which  is  always  paid  in  advance.  You  will  therefore  oblige 
me  by  the  trifling  sum  of  six-and-twenty  shillings  previous 
to  my  introducing  you  to  your  new  messmates.  You  will 
excuse  my  requesting  the  money  to  be  paid  now,  which,  I 
assure  you,  does  not  arise  from  any  doubt  of  your  honour ; 
but  the  fact  is,  being  the  only  member  of  the  mess  who  can 
be  considered  as  stationary,  the  unpleasant  duty  of  caterer 
257  R 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

has  devolved  upon  me,  and  I  have  lost  so  much  money  by 
young  gentlemen  leaving  the  ship  in  a  hurry,  and  forgetting 
to  settle  their  accounts,  that  it  has  now  become  a  rule,  which 
is  never  broken  through." 

As  soon  as  Mr.  Skrimmage  had  finished  his  oration,  which 
he  delivered  in  the  softest  and  most  persuasive  manner, 
Seymour  laid  down  the  sum  required,  and  having  waited,  at 
the  clerk's  request,  to  see  his  name,  and  sum  paid,  entered 
in  the  mess-book  by  Mrs.  Skrimmage,  he  was  shown  into  the 
gun-room,  which  he  found  crowded  with  between  thirty  and 
forty  midshipmen,  whose  vociferations  and  laughter  created 
such  a  din  as  to  drown  the  voice  of  his  conductor,  who  cried 
out,  "  Mr.  Seymour,  gentlemen,  to  join  the  mess,"  and  then 
quitted  the  noisy  abode,  which  gave  our  hero  the  idea  of 
Bedlam  broke  loose. 

On  one  side  of  the  gun-room  a  party  of  fifteen  or  twenty 
were  seated  cross-legged  on  the  deck  in  a  circle,  stripped  to 
their  shirts,  with  their  handkerchiefs  laid  up  like  ropes  in 
their  hands.  A  greatcoat  and  a  sleeve-board,  which  they 
had  borrowed  from  the  marine  tailor,  who  was  working  on 
the  main-deck,  lay  in  the  centre,  and  they  pretended  to  be 
at  work  with  their  needles  on  the  coat.  It  was  the  game  of 
goose,  the  whole  amusement  of  which  consisted  in  giving 
and  receiving  blows.  Every  person  in  the  circle  had  a  name 
to  which  he  was  obliged  to  answer  immediately  when  it  was 
called,  in  default  of  which  he  was  severely  punished  by  all 
the  rest.  The  names  were  distinguished  by  colours,  as  Black 
Cap,  Red  Cap ;  and  the  elegant  conversation,  commenced  by 
the  master  tailor,  ran  as  follows  ;  observing  that  it  was  carried 
on  with  the  greatest  rapidity  of  utterance  : — 

«  That's  a  false  stitch— whose  was  it  ?  " 

"  Black  Cap." 

"  No,  sir,  not  me,  sir." 

"Who,  then,  sir?" 

"  Red  Cap." 

"You  lie,  sir." 

"Who,  then,  sir?" 

"Blue  Cap,  Blue  Cap." 

"You  lie,  sir." 

"  Who,  then,  sir  ?  " 

"Yellow  Cap,  Yellow  Cap." 

258 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

Yellow  Cap  unfortunately  did  not  give  the  lie  in  time, 
for  which  he  was  severely  punished,  and  the  game  then 
continued. 

But  the  part  of  the  game  which  created  the  most  mirth 
was  providing  a  goose  for  the  tailors,  which  was  accomplished 
by  some  of  their  confederates  throwing  into  the  circle  any 
bystander  who  was  not  on  his  guard,  and  who,  immediately 
that  he  was  thrown  in,  was  thrashed  and  kicked  by  the 
whole  circle  until  he  could  make  his  escape.  An  attempt 
of  this  kind  was  soon  made  upon  Seymour,  who  being  well 
acquainted  with  the  game,  and  perceiving  the  party  rushing 
on  him  to  push  him  in,  dropped  on  his  hands  and  knees,  so 
that  the  other  was  caught  in  his  own  trap  by  tumbling  over 
Seymour  into  the  circle  himself,  from  which  he  at  last  escaped, 
as  much  mortified  by  the  laugh  raised  against  him  as  with 
the  blows  which  he  had  received. 

Seymour,  who  was  ready  to  join  in  any  fun,  applied  for 
work,  and  was  admitted  among  the  journeymen. 

"  What's  your  name  ?  " 

"  Dandy  Grey  Russet  Cap,"  replied  Seymour,  selecting  a 
colour  which  would  give  him  ample  time  for  answering,  to 
his  call. 

"  Oh,  I'll  be  d — d  but  you're  an  old  hand,"  observed  one 
of  the  party,  and  the  game  continued  with  as  much  noise 
as  ever. 

But  we  must  leave  it  and  return  to  Mr.  Skrimmage,  who 
was  a  singular,  if  not  solitary,  instance  of  a  person  in  one  of 
the  lowest  grades  of  the  service  having  amassed  a  large 
fortune.  He  had  served  his  time  under  an  attorney,  and 
from  that  situation,  why  or  wherefore  the  deponent  sayeth 
not,  shipped  on  board  a  man-of-war  in  the  capacity  of  a 
ship's  clerk.  The  vessel  which  first  received  him  on  board 
was  an  old  fifty-gun  ship  of  two  decks,  a  few  of  which  re- 
mained in  the  service  at  that  time,  although  they  have  long 
been  dismissed  and  broken  up.  Being  a  dull  sailer,  and  fit 
for  nothing  else,  she  was  constantly  employed  in  protecting 
large  convoys  of  merchant  vessels  to  America  and  the  West 
Indies.  Although  other  men-of  war  occasionally  assisted  her 
in  her  employ,  the  captain  of  the  fifty-gun  ship,  from  long 
standing,  was  invariably  the  senior  officer,  and  the  masters 
of  the  merchant  vessels  were  obliged  to  go  on  board  his 
250 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

ship  to  receive  their  convoy  instructions,  and  a  distinguishing 
pennant,  which  is  always  given  without  any  fee. 

But  Skrimmage,  who  had  never  been  accustomed  to  deliver 
up  any  paper  without  a  fee  when  he  was  in  his  former  pro- 
fession, did  not  feel  inclined  to  do  so  in  his  present.  Make 
a  direct  charge  he  dare  not — he  therefore  hit  upon  a  ruse 
de  guerre  which  effected  his  purpose.  He  borrowed  from 
different  parties  seven  or  eight  guineas,  and  when  the  masters 
of  merchant  vessels  came  on  board  for  their  instructions,  he 
desired  them  to  be  shown  down  into  his  cabin,  where  he 
received  them  with  great  formality,  and  very  nicely  dressed. 
The  guineas  were  spread  upon  the  desk,  so  that  they  might 
be  easily  reckoned. 

"Sit  down,  captain;  if  you  please,  favour  me  with  your 
name  and  that  of  your  ship."  As  he  took  these  down,  he 
carelessly  observed,  "  I  have  delivered  but  seven  copies  of 
the  instructions  to-day  as  yet." 

The  captain  having  nothing  to  do  in  the  meantime,  naturally 
cast  his  eyes  round  the  cabin  and  was  attracted  by  the  guineas, 
the  number  of  which  exactly  tallied  with  the  number  of  in- 
structions delivered.  It  naturally  occurred  to  him  that  they 
were  the  clerk's  perquisites  of  office. 

«  What  is  the  fee,  sir  ?  " 

"Whatever  you  please — some  give  a  guinea,  some  two." 

A  guinea  was  deposited ;  and  thus  with  his  nest-eggs,  Mr. 
Skrimmage,  without  making  a  direct  charge,  contrived  to 
pocket  a  hundred  guineas,  or  more,  for  every  convoy  that  was 
put  under  his  captain's  charge.  After  four  years,  during  which 
he  had  saved  a  considerable  sum,  the  ship  was  declared  unser- 
viceable, and  broken  up,  and  Mr.  Skrimmage  was  sent  on  board 
of  the  guardship,  where  his  ready  wit  immediately  pointed  out 
to  him  the  advantages  which  might  be  reaped  by  permanently 
belonging  to  her,  as  clerk  of  the  ship  and  caterer  of  the  mid- 
shipmen's berth.  After  serving  in  her  for  eight  years,  he  was 
offered  his  rank  as  purser,  which  he  refused  upon  the  plea  of 

being  a  married  man,  and  preferring  poverty  with  Mrs.  S 

to  rank  and  money  without  her.  At  this  the  reader  will  not  be 
astonished  when  he  is  acquainted,  that  the  situation  which  he 
held  was,  by  his  dexterous  plans,  rendered  so  lucrative,  that  in 
the  course  of  twelve  years,  with  principal  and  accumulating 
interest,  he  had  amassed  the  sum  of  £15,000. 
260 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

A  guardship  is  a  receiving-ship  for  officers  and  men,  until 
they  are  enabled  to  join,  or  are  drafted  to,  their  respective 
ships.  The  consequence  is,  that  an  incessant  change  is  taking 
place — a  midshipman  sometimes  not  remaining  on  board  of 
her  for  more  than  three  days  before  an  opportunity  offers  of 
joining  his  ship.  In  fact,  when  we  state  that,  during  the  war, 
upwards  of  one  thousand  midshipmen  were  received  and  sent 
away  from  a  guardship  in  the  course  of  twelve  months,  we 
are  considerably  within  the  mark.  Now,  as  Mr.  Skrimmage 
always  received  one  guinea  as  entrance  to  the  mess  and  a 
week's  subscription  in  advance,  and,  moreover,  never  spent 
even  the  latter,  or  had  his  accounts  examined,  it  is  easy  to 
conceive  what  a  profitable  situation  he  had  created  for  him- 
self. Mrs.  Skrimmage,  also,  was  a  useful  helpmate ;  she 
lived  on  board,  at  little  expense,  and  by  her  attention  to  the 
dear  little  middies  and  their  wearing  apparel,  who  were  sent 
on  board  to  join  some  ship  for  the  first  time,  added  very  con- 
siderably to  his  profits. 

Her  history  was  as  follows.  It  had  three  eras  :  she  had 
been  a  lady's-maid  in  town  ;  and  in  this  situation  acquiring  a 
few  of  the  practices  of  "  high  life,"  she  had  become  something 
else  on  the  town  ;  and,  finally,  Mrs.  Skrimmage.  With  a  view 
of  awing  his  unruly  associates  into  respect,  Mr.  Skrimmage  (as 
well  as  his  wife)  was  particularly  nice  in  his  dress  and  his  con- 
versation, and  affected  the  gentleman,  as  she  did  the  lady  : 
this  generally  answered  pretty  well ;  but  sometimes  unpleasant 
circumstances  would  occur,  to  which  his  interest  compelled 
Mr.  Skrimmage  to  submit.  It  may  be  as  well  here  to  add, 
that,  at  the  end  of  the  war,  Mr.  Skrimmage  applied  for  his 
promotion  for  long  service,  and  obtaining  it,  added  his  purser's 
half-pay  to  the  interest  of  his  accumulated  capital,  and  retired 
from  active  service. 

The  steward  and  his  boy  entering  the  gun-room  with  two 
enormous  black  tea-kettles,  put  an  end  to  the  boisterous 
amusement.  It  was  the  signal  for  tea. 

"  Hurrah  for  Scaldchops ! "  cried  the  master  tailor,  rising 
from  the  game,  which  was  now  abandoned.  A  regiment  of 
cups  and  saucers  lined  the  two  sides  of  the  long  table,  and  a 
general  scramble  ensued  for  seats. 

"I  say,  Mr.  Cribbage,"  cried  an  old'  master' s-mate  to  the 
caterer,  who  had  entered  shortly  after  the  tea-kettles,  and 
261 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

assumed  his  place  at  the  end  of  the  table,  "  what  sort  of  stuff 
do  you  call  this  ?  " 

"  What  do  you  mean  to  imply,  sir  ?  "  replied  Mr.  Skrimmage, 
with  a  pompous  air. 

"  Mean  to  ply  ? — why,  I  mean  to  ply,  that  there's  d — d 
little  tea  in  this  here  water ;  why,  I've  seen  gin  as  dark  a 
colour  as  this." 

"  Steward,"  said  Mr.  Skrimmage,  turning  his  head  over  his 
shoulder  towards  him,  "have  you  not  put  the  established 
allowance  into  the  teapot  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  steward  ;  "  a  teaspoonful  for  every 
gentleman,  and  one  for  coming  up." 

"You  hear,  gentlemen,"  said  Mr.  Skrimmage. 

"  Hear  ! — yes,  but  we  don't  taste.  I  should  like  to  see  it 
sarved  out,"  continued  the  master' s-mate. 

"  Sir,"  replied  Mr.  Skrimmage,  "  I  must  take  the  liberty  to 
observe  to  you,  that  that  is  a  responsibility  never  entrusted  to 
the  steward.  The  established  allowance  is  always  portioned 
out  by  Mrs.  Skrimmage  herself." 

"  D  — n  Mrs.  Skrimmage,"  said  a  voice  from  the  other 
end  of  the  table. 

"  What ! "  cried  the  indignant  husband  ;  "  what  did  I  hear  ? 
Who  was  that  ?  " 

"'Twas  this  young  gentleman,  Mr.  Caterer,"  said  a  mali- 
cious lad,  pointing  to  one  opposite. 

"  Me,  sir  ? "  replied  the  youngster,  recollecting  the  game 
they  had  just  been  playing;  "you  lie,  sir." 

«  Who  then,  sir  ?  " 

"  Black  Cap — Black  Cap,"  pointing  to  another. 

"  I  d — n  Mrs.  Skrimmage  !     You  lie,  sir." 

"  Who  then,  sir  ?  " 

"Red  Cap— Red  Cap." 

"  I  d — n  Mrs.  Skrimmage  ?     You  lie,  sir." 

And  thus  was  the  accusation  bandied  about  the  table,  to 
the  great  amusement  of  the  whole  party  except  the  caterer, 
who  regretted  having  taken  any  notice  of  what  had  been  said. 

"  Really,  gentlemen,  this  behaviour  is  such  as  cannot  be 
tolerated,"  observed  Mr.  Skrimmage,  who  invariably  preferred 
the  suaviter  in  modo.  "  As  caterer  of  this  berth  — 

"  It  is  your  duty  to  give  us  something  to  eat,"  added  one 
of  the  midshipmen. 

262 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"Gentlemen,  you  see  what  there  is  on  the  table;  there 
are  rules  and  regulations  laid  down,  which  cannot  be  deviated 
from,  and " 

"  And  those  are,  to  starve  us.  I've  paid  six-and-twenty 
shillings,  and  have  not  had  six-and-twenty  mouthfuls  in  the 
three  days  that  I  have  been  here.  I  should  like  to  see  your 
accounts,  Mr.  Caterer." 

"  Bravo  !  let's  have  his  accounts/'  roared  out  several  of  the 
party. 

"  Gentlemen,  my  accounts  are  ready  for  inspection,  and  will 
bear,  I  will  venture  to  assert,  the  most  minute  investigation  ; 
but  it  must  be  from  those  who  have  a  right  to  demand  it, 
and  I  cannot  consider  that  a  person  who  has  only  been  in 
the  ship  for  three  days  has  any  pretence  to  examine  them." 

"  But  I  have  been  in  the  ship  three  weeks,"  said  another, 
"and  have  paid  you  one  pound  sixteen  shillings.  I  have  a 
right,  and  now  I  demand  them  ;  so  let  us  have  the  accounts 
on  the  table,  since  we  can  get  nothing  else." 

"The  accounts — the  accounts!"  were  now  vociferated  for 
by  such  a  threatening  multitude  of  angry  voices,  that  Mr. 
Skrimmage  turned  pale  with  alarm,  and  thought  it  advisable 
to  bend  to  the  threatening  storm. 

"  Steward,  present  the  gentlemen's  respects  to  Mrs.  Skrim- 
mage, and  request  that  she  will  oblige  them  by  sending  in 
the  mess  account-book.  You  understand — the  gentlemen's 
respects  to  Mrs.  Skrimmage." 

"D — n  Mrs.  Skrimmage/'  again  cried  out  one  of  the 
midshipmen,  and  the  game  of  goose  was  renewed  with  the 
phrase,  until  the  steward  returned  with  the  book. 

"  Mrs.  Skrimmage 's  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  of  the 
gun-room  mess,  and  she  has  great  pleasure  in  complying  with 
their  request ;  but  in  consequence  of  her  late  indisposition, 
the  accounts  are  not  made  up  further  than  to  the  end  of  last 
month." 

This  was  the  plan  upon  which  the  wily  clerk  invariably 
acted,  as  it  put  an  end  to  all  inquiry ;  but  the  indignation 
of  the  midshipmen  was  not  to  be  controlled,  and  as  they 
could  not  give  it  vent  in  one  way,  they  did  in  another. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  one  of  the  oldest  of  the  fraternity, 
imitating  Mr.  Skrimmage's  style,  "  I  must  request  that  you 
will  be  pleased  not  to  kick  up  such  a  d—  d  row,  because  I 
263 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

wish  to  make  a  speech  ;  and  I  request  that  two  of  you  will.be 
pleased  to  stand  sentries  at  the  door,  permitting  neither  ingress 
nor  egress,  that  I  may  '  spin  my  yarn '  without  interruption. 

"  Gentlemen,  we  have  paid  our  mess-money,  and  we  have 
nothing  to  eat.  We  have  asked  for  the  accounts,  and  we  are 
put  off  with  '  indisposition.'  Now,  gentlemen,  as  there  can  be 
no  doubt  of  the  caterer's  honour,  I  propose  that  we  give  him 
a  receipt  in  full." 

"  And  here's  a  pen  to  write  it  with,"  cried  out  another, 
holding  up  the  sleeve-board  with  which  they  had  been  play- 
ing the  game. 

"Then,  gentlemen,  are  you  all  agreed — to  cobb  the  caterer?" 

The  shouts  of  assent  frightened  Mr.  Skrimmage,  who 
attempted  to  make  his  escape  by  the  gun-room  door,  but 
was  prevented  by  the  two  sentries,  who  had  been  placed 
there  on  purpose.  He  then  requested  to  be  heard — to  be 
allowed  to  explain  ;  but  it  was  useless.  He  was  dragged 
to  the  table,  amidst  an  uproar  of  laughter  and  shouting. 
"  Extreme  bad  headaches  " — "  Mrs.  Skrimmage" — •"  nervous  " 
— "ample  satisfaction  " — "conduct  like  gentlemen  " — "com- 
plain to  first  lieutenant  " — -were  the  unconnected  parts  of  his 
expostulation  which  could  be  distinguished.  He  was  ex- 
tended across  the  table,  face  downwards ;  the  lappels  of  his 
coat  thrown  up,  and  two  dozen  blows  with  the  sleeve-board 
were  administered  with  such  force  that  his  shrieks  were  even 
louder  than  the  laughter  and  vociferation  of  his  assailants. 

During  the  infliction,  the  noise  within  was  so  great  that 
they  did  not  pay  attention  to  that  which  was  outside,  but  as 
soon  as  Mr.  Skrimmage  had  been  put  on  his  legs  again,  and 
the  tumult  had  partially  subsided,  the  voice  of  the  master- 
at-arms  requesting  admittance  and  the  screaming  of  Mrs. 
Skrimmage  were  heard  at  the  door,  which  continued  locked 
and  guarded.  The  door  was  opened,  and  in  flew  the  lady. 

"  My  Skrimmage  !  my  Skrimmage  ! — what  have  the  brutes 
been  doing  to  you  ?  Oh,  the  wretches  !  "  continued  the  lady, 
panting  for  breath,  and  turning  to  the  midshipmen,  who  had 
retreated  from  her — "you  shall  all  be  turned  out  of  the 
service — you  shall — that  you  shall.  We'll  see — we'll  write 
for  a  court-martial — ay,  you  may  laugh,  but  we  will.  Con- 
tempt to  a  superior  officer — clerk  and  caterer,  indeed  !  The 
service  has  come  to  a  pretty  pass — you  villains !  You  may 
264 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

grin — I'll  tear  the  eyes  out  of  some  of  you,  that  I  will.     Come, 
Mr.  Skrimmage,  let  us  go  on   the   quarter-deck  and  see  if 
the  service  is  to  be  trifled  with.     Dirty  scum  indeed — 
and  the  lady  stopped  for  want  of  breath,  occasioned  by  the 
rapidity  of  her  utterance. 

"  Gentlemen,"  said  the  master-at-arms,  as  soon  as  he  could 
obtain  hearing,  "  the  first  lieutenant  wishes  to  know  the 
reason  why  you  are  making  such  a  noise  ?  " 

"  Our  compliments  to  Mr.  Phillips,  and  we  have  been  settling 
the  mess-account,  and  taking  the  change  out  of  the  caterer." 

"  Yes,"  continued  Mrs.  Skrimmage,  "  you  villains,  you  have, 
you  paltry  cheats — you  blackguards — you  warm  in— -  you  scum 
of  the  earth — you  grinning  monkeys — you! — don't  put  your 
tongue  into  your  cheek  at  me,  you — you  beast — you  ill-looking 
imp,or  I'll  write  the  ten  commandments  on  your  face — I  will — 
ay,  that  I  will — cowardly  set  of  beggars — "  (No  more  breath.) 

"  I'll  tell  you  what,  marm,"  rejoined  the  old  master's-mate, 
"  if  you  don't  clap  a  stopper  on  that  jaw  of  yours,  by  George, 
we'll  cobb  you." 

"  Cobb  me  ! — you  will,  will  you  ?  I  should  like  to  see  you. 
I  dare  you  to  cobb  me,  you  wretches  ?  " 

"  Cobb  her,  cobb  her  !  "  roared  out  all  the  midshipmen,  who 
were  irritated  at  her  language ;  and  in  a  moment  she  was 
seized  by  a  dozen  of  them,  who  dragged  her  to  the  table. 
Mrs.  Skrimmage  struggled  in  vain,  and  there  appeared  every 
chance  of  the  threat  being  put  in  force. 

"  Oh — is  this  the  way  to  treat  a  lady  ? — Skrimmage  !  help, 
help!" 

Skrimmage,  who  had  been  battered  almost  to  stupefaction, 
roused  by  the  call  of  his  frightened  wife,  darted  to  her,  and 
throwing  his  arm  round  her  waist — "  Spare  her,  gentlemen, 
spare  her  for  mercy's  sake,  spare  her — or,"  continued  he,  in  a 
faltering  voice,  "if  you  will  cobb  her,  let  it  be  over  all." 

The  appeal  in  favour  of  modesty  and  humanity  had  its  due 
weight;  and  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Skrimmage  were  permitted  to 
leave  the  gun-room  without  further  molestation.  The  lady, 
however,  as  soon  as  she  had  obtained  the  outside  of  the  gun- 
room door,  forgetting  her  assumed  gentility,  turned  back,  and 
shaking  her  fist  at  her  persecutors,  made  use  of  language 
with  a  repetition  of  which  we  will  not  offend  our  readers — 
and  then,  arm-in-arm  with  her  husband,  quitted  the  gun-room. 
265 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"  '  Mrs.  Skrimmage's  compliments  to  the  gentlemen  of  the 
gun-room  mess,'  "  cried  one  of  the  midshipmen,  mimicking, 
which  was  followed  by  a  roar  of  laughter,  when  the  quarter- 
master again  made  his  appearance. 

"  Gentlemen,  the  first  lieutenant  says  that  all  those  who  are 
waiting  for  a  passage  round  to  Plymouth  are  to  be  on  deck 
with  their  traps  immediately.  There's  a  frigate  orderedround — 
she  has  the  blue-peter  up,  and  her  topsails  are  sheeted  home." 

This  put  an  end  to  further  mischief,  as  there  were  at  least 
twenty  of  them  whose  respective  ships  were  on  that  station. 
In  the  meantime,  while  they  were  getting  ready,  Mr.  Skrim- 
mage  having  restored  the  precision  of  his  apparel,  proceeded 
to  the  quarter-deck  and  made  his  complaint  to  the  first  lieu- 
tenant; but  these  complaints  had  been  repeatedly  made 
before,  and  Mr.  Phillips  was  tired  of  hearing  them,  and  was 
aware  that  he  deserved  his  fate.  Mr.  Skrimmage  was  there- 
fore silenced  with  the  usual  remark,  "  How  can  I  punish  these 
young  men,if  they  are  in  the  wrong,  who  slip  through  my  fingers 
immediately  ? — the  parties  you  complain  of  are  now  going 
down  the  side.  Why  don't  you  give  up  the  caterership  ?  " 

But  this,  for  the  reasons  before  stated,  did  not  suit  Mr. 
Skrimmage,  who  returned  below.  For  a  day  or  two  the 
mess  was  better  supplied,  from  fear  of  a  repetition  of  the  dose  ; 
after  that,  it  went  on  again  as  before. 


CHAPTER  XLI 

All  desperate  hazards  couraee  do  create, 
As  he  plays  frankly  who  has  least  estate. 

DBYDEN. 

It  were  all  one, 

That  I  should  love  a  bright  particular  star, 
And  think  to  wed  it. 

SHAKSPEARE. 

I^EYMOUR  was  soon  weary  of  the  endless  noise  and  con- 
fusion to  which  he  was  subjected  on  board  of  the  guardship, 

and  he  wrote  to  Captain  M ,  requesting  that  he  might  be 

permitted   to  join   some   Vessel  on  active   service  until  the 
266 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

period  should  arrive  when  the  former  would  be  enabled  to 
resume  the  command  of  his  ship.  The  answer  from  his 
patron  informed  him,  that  the  time  of  his  renewal  of  his  pro- 
fessional duties  would  be  uncertain,  not  having  hitherto  de- 
rived much  benefit  from  his  return  to  England  ;  that  as  the 
Aspasia  was  daily  expected  to  arrive  from  the  mission  on 
which  she  had  been  despatched,  and  would  then  remain  on 
Channel  service,  ready  to  be  made  over  to  him  as  soon  as  his 
health  should  be  re-established,  he  would  procure  an  order 
for  him  to  join  her  as  soon  as  she  arrived.  He  pointed  out  to 
him  that  he  would  be  more  comfortable  on  board  a  ship  in 
which  he  had  many  old  messmates  and  friends  than  in  any 
other,  to  the  officers  of  which  he  would  be  a  perfect  stranger  ; 
that,  in  the  meantime,  he  had  procured  leave  of  absence  for 
him,  and  requested  that  he  would  pay  him  a  visit  at  his  cot- 
tage near  Richmond,  to  the  vicinity  of  which  place  he  had 
removed  by  the  advice  of  his  medical  attendants. 

Seymour  gladly  availed  himself  of  this  opportunity  of  seeing 
his  protector,  and  after  a  sojourn  of  three  weeks,  returned  to 
Portsmouth  to  join  the  Aspasia,  which  had,  for  some  days, 
been  lying  at  Spithead.  Most  of  the  commissioned,  and 
many  of  the  junior,  officers  who  had  served  in  the  West 
Indies  were  still  on  board  of  her,  anxiously  waiting  for  the 

return  of  Captain  M- ,  whose  value  as  a  commanding 

officer  wras  more  appreciated  for  the  change  which  had  taken 
place.  Seymour  was  cordially  greeted  by  his  former  ship- 
mates, not  only  for  his  own  sake,  but  from  the  idea  that  his 
having  rejoined  the  frigate  was  but  a  precursor  of  the  reap- 
pearance of  Captain  M— —  himself. 

There  is,  perhaps,  no  quality  in  man  partaking  of  such 
variety,  and  so  difficult  to  analyse,  as  courage,  whether  it  be 
physical  or  mental,  both  of  which  are  not  only  innate,  but  to 
be  acquired.  The  former,  and  the  most  universal,  is  most 
capriciously  bestowed  ;  sometimes,  although  rarely,  Nature 
has  denied  it  altogether.  We  have,  therefore,  in  the  latter 
instance,  courage  nil,  as  a  zero,  courage  negative,  half-way  up, 
and  courage  positive,  at  the  top,  which  may  be  considered  as 
"  blood  heat,"  and  upon  this  thermometrical  scale  the  animal 
courage  of  every  individual  may  be  placed.  Courage  nil,  or 
cowardice,  needs  no  explanation.  Courage  negative,  which  is 
the  most  common,  is  that  degree  of  firmness  which  will  enable 
267 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

a  person  to  do  his  duty  when  danger  comes  to  him ;  he  will 
not  avoid  danger,  but  he  will  not  exactly  seek  it.  Courage 
positive,  when  implanted  in  a  man,  will  induce  him  to  seek 
danger,  and  find  opportunities  of  distinguishing  himself  where 
others  can  see  none.  Courage  negative  is  a  passive  feeling, 
and  requires  to  be  roused.  Courage  positive  is  an  active  and 
restless  feeling,  always  on  the  look-out. 

An  extreme  susceptibility,  and  a  phlegmatic  indifference 
of  disposition,  although  diametrically  in  opposition  to  each 
other,  will  produce  the  same  results ;  in  the  former,  it  is 
mental,  in  the  latter,  animal  courage.  Paradoxical  as  it 
may  appear,  the  most  certain  and  most  valuable  description 
of  courage  is  that  which  is  acquired  from  the  fear  of  shame. 
Further,  there  is  no  talent  which  returns  more  fold  than 
courage,  when  constantly  in  exercise ;  for  habit  will  soon 
raise  the  individual  whose  index  is  near  to  zero,  to  the 
degree  in  the  scale  opposite  to  courage  negative ;  and  the 
possessor  of  courage  negative  will  rise  up  to  that  of  courage 
positive ;  although,  from  desuetude,  they  will  again  sink 
to  their  former  position. 

It  is  generally  considered  that  men  are  naturally  brave ; 
but  as,  without  some  incentive,  there  would  be  no  courage, 
I  doubt  the  position.  I  should  rather  say  that  we  were 
naturally  cowards.  Without  incitement,  courage  of  every 
description  would  gradually  descend  to  the  zero  of  the  scale  ; 
the  necessity  of  some  incentive  to  produce  it,  proves  that 
it  is  "against  nature."  As  the  ferocity  of  brutes  is  occa- 
sioned by  hunger,  so  is  that  of  man  by  "  hungering "  after 
the  coveted  enjoyments  of  life,  and  in  proportion  as  this 
appetite  is  appeased,  so  is  his  courage  decreased.  If  you 
wish  animals  to  fight,  they  must  not  be  over-fed  ;  and  if  a 
nation  wishes  to  have  good  officers,  it  must  swell  their  pride 
by  decorations,  and  keep  them  poor.  There  are  few  who 
do  not  recollect  the  answer  of  the  soldier  to  his  general, 
who  had  presented  him  with  a  purse  of  gold  in  reward  of 
a  remarkable  instance  of  gallantry,  and  who,  a  short  time 
afterwards,  requiring  something  extremely  hazardous  to  be 
attempted,  sent  for  the  man,  and  expressed  his  wish  that  he 
would  volunteer.  "  General,"  said  he,  "  send  a  man  who 
has  NOT  GOT  a  purse  of  gold." 

The  strongest  incitement  to  courage  is  withdrawn  by  the 
268 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

possession  of  wealth.  Other  worldly  possessions  also  affect 
it.  Lord  St.  Vincent,  when  he  heard  that  any  captain  had 
married,  used  to  observe  emphatically,  "that  he  was  d — d 
for  the  service  " — no  compliment  to  the  officer,  but  a  very 
handsome  one  to  the  sex,  as  it  implied  that  their  attractions 
were  so  great  that  we  could  not  disengage  ourselves  from 
our  thraldom — or,  in  fact,  that  there  were  110  such  things 
as  bad  or  scolding  wives. 

Finally,  this  quality,  which  is  considered  as  a  virtue,  and 
to  entitle  us  to  the  rewards  bestowed  upon  it  by  the  fair 
sex,  who  value  it  above  all  others,  is  so  wholly  out  of  our 
control,  that  when  suffering  under  sickness  or  disease  it 
deserts  us ;  nay,  for  the  time  being,  a  violent  stomach-ache 
will  turn  a  hero  into  a  poltroon. 

So  much  for  a  dissertation  on  courage,  which  I  should 
not  have  ventured  to  force  upon  the  reader,  had  it  not  been 
to  prepare  him  for  the  character  which  I  am  about  to  intro- 
duce ;  and  when  it  is  pointed  out  how  many  thousands  of 
officers  were  employed  during  the  last  war,  I  trust  it  will 
not  be  considered  an  imputation  upon  the  service,  by  assert- 
ing that  there  were  some  few  who  mistook  their  profession. 

The  acting  captain  of  the  Aspasia,  during  the  early  part 
of  his  career  in  the  service  (had  there  been  such  a  ther- 
mometer as  I  have  described,  by  which  the  heat  of  tempera- 
ment in  the  party  would  have  been  precisely  ascertained),  on 
placing  its  bulb  upon  the  palm  of  his  hand,  would  have  forced 
the  mercury  something  between  the  zero  and  courage  nega- 
tive, towards  the  zero — "more  yes  than  no,"  as  the  Italian 
said ;  but  now  that  he  was  a  married  man,  above  fifty  years 
of  age,  with  a  large  family,  he  had  descended  in  the  scale 
to  the  absolute  zero. 

It  may,  then,  be  inquired,  why  he  requested  to  be  em- 
ployed during  the  war?  Because  he  liked  full  pay  and 
prize-money  when  it  could  be  obtained  without  risk,  and 
because  his  wife  and  family  were  living  on  shore  in  a  very 
snug  little  cottage  at  Ryde,  in  the  Isle  of  Wight,  which 
cottage  required  nothing  but  furniture  and  a  few  other  trifles 
to  render  it  complete.  Marriage  had  not  only  subtracted  from 
the  courage  of  this  worthy  officer,  but,  moreover,  a  little  from 
his  honesty.  Captain  Capperbar  (for  such  was  his  name)  should 
have  been  brought  up  as  a  missionary,  for  he  could  convert 
269 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

anything,  and  expend  more  profusely  than  any  Bible  Society. 
The  name  by  which  he  had  christened  his  domicile  was  pro- 
bably given  as  a  sort  of  salve  to  his  conscience.  He  called 
it  the  "  Ship  ;  "  and  when  he  signed  his  name  to  the  expense 
books  of  the  different  warrant  officers,  without  specifying  the 
exact  use  to  which  the  materials  were  applied,  the  larger 
proportions  were  invariably  expended,  by  the  general  term, 
for  "Ship's  use."  He  came  into  harbour  as  often  as  he  could, 
always  had  a  demand  for  stores  to  complete,  and  a  defect  or 
two  for  the  dockyard  to  make  good  ;  and  the  admiral,  who  was 
aware  of  Mrs.  Capperbar  being  a  near  resident,  made  every 
reasonable  allowance  for  his  partiality  to  Spithead.  But  we  had 
better  introduce  the  captain,  sitting  at  his  table  in  the  fore- 
cabin,  on  the  day  of  his  arrival  in  port,  the  carpenter  having 
obeyed  his  summons. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Cheeks,  what  are  the  carpenters  about  ?  " 

"Weston  and  Smallbridge  are  going  on  with  the  chairs — 
the  whole  of  them  will  be  finished  to-morrow." 

"Well?" 

"  Smith  is  about  the  chest  of  drawers,  to  match  the  one  in 
my  Lady  Capperbar's  bedroom." 

"  Very  good.     And  what  is  Hilton  about  ?  " 

"  He  has  finished  the  spare-leaf  of  the  dining-table,  sir  ;  he 
is  now  about  a  little  job  for  the  second  lieutenant." 

"  A  job  for  the  second  lieutenant,  sir  ?  How  often  have  I 
told  you,  Mr.  Cheeks,  that  the  carpenters  are  not  to  be  em- 
ployed, except  on  ship's  duty,  without  my  special  permission." 

"His  standing  bedplace  is  broke,  sir;  he  is  only  getting 
out  a  chock  or  two." 

"  Mr.  Cheeks,  you  have  disobeyed  my  most  positive  orders. 
By-the-bye,  sir,  I  understand  you  were  not  sober  last  night." 

"  Please  your  honour,"  replied  the  carpenter,  "  I  wasn't 
drunk — I  was  only  a  little  fresh." 

"Take  you  care,  Mr.  Cheeks.  Well,  now,  what  are  the 
rest  of  your  crew  about  ?  " 

"  Why,  Thompson  and  Waters  are  cutting  out  the  pales  for 
the  garden,  out  of  the  jib-booms;  I've  saved  the  heel  to 
return." 

"  Very  well ;  but  there  won't  be  enough,  will  there  ?  " 

"No,  sir,  it  will  take  a  hand-mast  to  finish  the  whole." 

"  Then  we  must  expend  one  when  we  go  out  again.  We  can 
270 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

carry  away  a  topmast,  and  make  a  new  one  out  of  the  hand- 
mast  at  sea.  In  the  meantime,  if  the  sawyers  have  nothing 
to  do,  they  may  as  well  cut  the  palings  at  once.  And  now,  let 
me  see — oh!  the  painters  must  go  on  shore,  to  finish  the  attics." 

"  Yes,  sir,  but  my  Lady  Capperbar  wishes  the  jealorvsees  to 
be  painted  vermilion  ;  she  says,  it  will  look  more  rural." 

"  Mrs.  Capperbar  ought  to  know  enough  about  ship's  stores 
by  this  time,  to  be  aware  that  we  are  only  allowed  three 
colours.  She  may  choose  or  mix  them  as  she  pleases  ;  but  as 
for  going  to  the  expense  of  buying  paint,  I  can't  afford  it. 
What  are  the  rest  of  the  men  about  ?  " 

"  Repairing  the  second  cutter,  and  making  a  new  mast  for 
the  pinnace." 

"  By-the-bye — that  puts  me  in  mind  of  it — have  you  ex- 
pended any  boat's  masts?" 

"Only  the  one  carried  away,  sir." 

"Then  you  must  expend  two  more.      Mrs.  C has  just 

sent  me  off  a  list  of  a  few  things  that  she  wishes  made  while 
we  are  at  anchor,  and  I  see  two  poles  for  clothes-lines.  Saw 
off  the  sheave-holes,  and  put  two  pegs  through  at  right  angles 
— you  know  how  I  mean." 

"  Yes,  sir.  What  am  I  to  do,  sir,  about  the  cucumber  frame  ? 
My  Lady  Capperbar  says  that  she  must  have  it,  and  I  haven't 
glass  enough — they  grumbled  at  the  yard  last  time." 

"  Mrs.  C must  wait  a  little.     What  are  the  armourers 

about  ? " 

"They  have  been  so  busy  with  your  work,  sir,  that  the 
arms  are  in  a  very  bad  condition.  The  first  lieutenant  said 
yesterday  that  they  were  a  disgrace  to  the  ship." 

"  Who  dared  say  that  ?  " 

"The  first  lieutenant,  sir." 

"Well,  then,  let  them  rub  up  the  arms,  and  let  me  know 
when  they  are  done,  and  we'll  get  the  forge  up." 

"The  armourer  has  made  six  rakes,  and  six  hoes,  and  the 
two  little  hoes  for  the  children ;  but  he  says  he  can't  make 
a  spade." 

"  Then  I'll  take  his  warrant  away,  by  Heaven !  since  he 
does  not  know  his  duty.  That  will  do,  Mr.  Cheeks.  I  shall 
overlook  your  being  in  liquor,  this  time  ;  but  take  care — send 
the  boatswain  to  me." 

"Yes,  sir,"  and  the  carpenter  quitted  the  cabin. 
271 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"Well,  Mr.  Hurley/'  said  the  captain,  as  the  boatswain 
stroked  down  his  hair,  as  a  mark  of  respect,  when  he  entered 
the  cabin,  "  are  the  cots  all  finished  ?  " 

"  All  finished,  your  honour,  and  slung,  except  the  one  for 
the  babby.  Had  not  I  better  get  a  piece  of  duck  for  that  ?  " 

"  No,  no — number  seven  will  do  as  well ;  Mrs.  C wants 

some  fearnought,  to  put  down  in  the  entrance  hall." 

"  Yes,  your  honour." 

"  And  some  cod-lines  laid  up  for  clothes-lines." 

"  Yes,  your  honour." 

"  Stop,  let  me  look  at  my  list—'  Knife-tray,  meat-screen, 
leads  for  window-sashes ' — ah  !  have  you  any  hand-leads  not 
on  charge  ?  " 

"  Yes,  your  honour,  four  or  five." 

"  Give  them  to  my  steward. — '  Small  chair  for  Ellen — 
canvas  for  veranda.'— Oh !  here's  something  else — have  you 
any  painted  canvas  ?  " 

"  Only  a  waist-hammock-cloth,  sir,  ready  fitted." 

"  We  must  expend  that ;  '  no  old  on  charge.'  Send  it  on 
shore  to  the  cottage,  and  I  shall  want  some  pitch." 

"  We've  lots  of  that,  your  honour." 

"That  will  do,  Mr.  Hurley;  desire  the  sentry  to  tell  my 
steward  to  come  here." 

"  Yes,  your  honour."     (Exit  boatswain,  and  enter  steward.) 

This  personage  belonged  to  the  party  of  marines  who  had 
been  drafted  into  the  ship — for  Captain  Capperbar's  economical 
propensities  would  not  allow  him  to  hire  a  servant  brought  up 
to  the  situation,  who  would  have  demanded  wages  independent 
of  the  ship's  pay.  Having  been  well  drilled  at  barracks,  he 
never  answered  any  question  put  to  him  by  an  officer  without 
recovering  himself  from  his  usual  "  stand-at-ease  "  position — 
throwing  shoulders  back,  his  nose  up  in  the  air,  his  arms  down 
his  sides,  and  the  palms  of  his  hands  flattened  on  his  thighs. 
His  replies  were  given  with  all  the  brevity  that  the  question 
would  admit,  or  rapid  articulation  on  his  own  part  would 
enable  him  to  confer, 

"  Thomas,  are  the  sugar  and  cocoa  ready  to  go  on  shore  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

'•  Don't  forget  to  send  that  letter  to  Mr.  Gibson  for  the  tea 
dozen  port  and  sherry." 

"  No,  sir." 

272 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  When  it  comes  on  board,  you'll  bring  it  on  shore  a  dozen 
at  a  time  in  the  hair  trunk." 

"Yes,  sir." 

<  Mind  you  don't  let  any  of  the  hay  peep  outside." 

"No,  sir." 

"  Has  the  cooper  finished  the  washing-tubs  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  And  the  smaU  kids  ?  " 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Have  you  inquired  among  the  ship's  company  for  a 
gardener  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  there's  a  marine  kept  the  garden  of  the  major  in 
the  barracks." 

"  Don't  forget  to  bring  him  on  shore. 

"  No,  sir." 

"  Recollect,  too,  that  Mrs.  Capperbar  wants  some  vinegar — 
the  boatswain's  is  the  best — and  a  gallon  or  two  of  rum — and 
you  must  corn  some  beef.  The  harness  cask  may  remain  on 
shore,  and  the  cooper  must  make  me  another." 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  Master  Henry's  trousers — are  they  finished  yet  ?  " 

"  No,  sir ;  Spriggs  is  at  them  now.  Bailly  and  James  are 
making  Miss  Ellen's  petticoats." 

"  And  the  shoes  for  Master  John — are  they  finished  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir." 

"  And  Master  Henry's  ?  " 

"  No,  sir.  Wilson  says  that  he  has  lost  Master  Henry's 
measure." 

"  Careless  scoundrel !  he  shall  have  four-water  grog  for  a 
week ;  and,  steward,  take  three  bags  of  bread  on  shore,  and 
forty  pounds  of  flour." 

"  Yes,  sir." 

"That's  all.  Oh  no — don't  forget  to  send  some  pease  on 
shore  for  the  pig." 

"  No,  sir,"  and  the  steward  departed  to  execute  his  variety 
of  commissions. 

The  present  first  lieutenant  of  the  Aspasia,  who  upon  the 
promotion  of  the  former  had  been  selected  by  Captain  M — 
previous  to  his  quitting  the  ship,  was  an  excellent  officer  and 
a  pleasant,  light-hearted  messmate,  very  superior  in  talent  and 
information  to  the  many. 

273  a 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

The  conduct  of  Captain  Capperbar  was  a  source  of  annoy- 
ance to  him,  as  he  frequently  could  not  command  the  services 
of  the  different  artificers  when  they  were  required  for  the  ship. 
He  had,  however,  been  long  enough  in  the  service  to  be  aware 
that  it  was  better  to  make  the  best  of  it  than  to  create  enemies 
by  impeaching  the  conduct  of  his  superior  officer.  As  the  com- 
mand of  Captain  Capperbar  was  but  temporary,  he  allowed  him 
to  proceed  without  expostulation,  contenting  himself  with  turn- 
ing his  conduct  into  a  source  of  conversation  and  amusement. 

"  Well,  Prose,  how  do  you  like  the  new  skipper?"  inquired 
Seymour,  soon  after  his  arrival  on  board. 

"  Why,  I  do  declare,  I  can  hardly  tell.  He's  a  very  good- 
tempered  man,  but  he  don't  exactly  treat  us  midshipmen  as 
if  we  were  officers  or  gentlemen ;  and  as  for  his  wife,  she  is 
really  too  bad.  I  am  sent  every  day  on  shore  to  the  cottage, 
because  I  belong  to  the  captain's  gig.  They  never  ask  me 
to  sit  down,  but  set  me  to  work  somehow  or  another.  The 
other  day  he  had  a  boat's  crew  on  shore  digging  up  a  piece 
of  ground  for  planting  potatoes,  and  he  first  showed  me  how 
to  cut  the  eyes,  and  then  gave  me  a  knife  and  ordered  me  to 
finish  the  whole  bag  which  lay  in  the  field,  and  to  see  that  the 
men  worked  properly  at  the  same  time.  I  never  cut  potatoes 
into  little  bits  before,  except  at  table  after  they  were  boiled." 

"  Well,  that  was  too  bad  ;  but,  however,  you'll  know  how  to 
plant  potatoes  in  future — there's  nothing  like  knowledge." 

"  And  then  he  sends  the  nurse  and  children  for  an  airing, 
as  he  calls  it,  oh  the  water,  and  I  am  obliged  to  take  them. 
I  don't  like  pulling  maid-servants  about." 

"That's  quite  a  matter  of  taste,  Prose;  some  midshipmen  do." 

"  What  do  you  think  Mrs.  Capperbar  asked  me  to  do  the 
other  day  ?  " 

"  I'm  sure  I  can't  guess." 

"  Why,  to  shell  peas." 

"  Well,  did  you  oblige  her  ?  " 

"  Why,  yes,  I  did ;  but  I  did  not  like  it— and  the  other 
day  the  captain  sent  me  out  to  walk  with  the  nurse  and 
children,  that  I  might  carry  Master  Henry  if  he  was  tired." 

"They  have  observed  the  versatility  of  your  genius." 

"  She  made  me  hunt  the  hedges  for  a  whole  morning  after 
eggs,  because  she  was  convinced  that  one  of  the  hens  laid 
astray." 

274 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Did  you  find  any  ?  " 

"  No ;  and  when  I  came  back  to  tell  her  so,  she  got  into 
a  rage,  and  threatened  to  make  the  captain  flog  me." 

"The  devil  she  did  !" 

"  A  devil  she  is,"  continued  Prose.  "  She  I'uns  about  the 
house  — '  Captain  Capperbar  '  this — '  Captain  Capperbar  '  that 
— '  I  will  ' — '  I  will  not' — '  I  insist '  —  'I  am  determined.' 
But,"  continued  Prose,  "  as  you  belonged  to  the  captain's 
gig  before,  you  will  of  course  take  her  again,  and  I  shall  be 
very  glad  to  give  the  charge  up  to  you." 

"  Not  for  the  world,  my  dear  Prose  ;  what  may  ensure  your 
promotion  would  be  my  ruin.  I  never  nursed  a  child  or 
shelled  a  pea  in  my  life  ;  the  first  I  should  certainly  let  fall, 
and  the  second  I  probably  should  eat  for  my  trouble.  So 
pray  continue  at  your  post  of  honour,  and  I  will  go  for  the 
fresh  beef  every  morning  as  you  were  accustomed  to  do  when 
we  were  last  in  port." 

Captain  M did  not  receive  the  immediate  benefit  which 

he  had  anticipated  from  a  return  to  his  native  land.  Bath, 
Cheltenham,  Devonshire,  and  other  places  were  recommended 
one  after  the  other  by  the  physicians,  until  he  was  tired  of 
moving  from  place  to  place.  It  was  nearly  two  years  before 
he  felt  his  health  sufficiently  re-established  to  resume  the 
command  of  the  Aspasia,  during  which  period  the  patience 
of  his  officers  was  nearly  exhausted  ;  and  not  only  was  all  the 
furniture  and  fitting  up  of  the  cottage  complete,  but  Captain 
Capperbar  had  provided  himself  with  a  considerable  stock  of 
materials  for  repairs  and  alterations.  At  last  a  letter  from 
the  captain  to  Macallan  gave  the  welcome  intelligence  that 
he  was  to  be  down  at  Portsmouth  in  a  few  days,  and  that  the 
ship  was  ordered  to  fit  for  foreign  service. 

We  must  not  omit  to  mention  here,  that  during  these  two 
years  Seymour  had  been  able  to  procure  frequent  leave  of 
absence,  which  was  invariably  passed  at  the  M'Elvinas' ;  and 
that  the  terms  of  intimacy  on  which  he  was  received  at  the 
Hall,  and  his  constant  intercourse  with  Emily,  produced  an 
effect  which  a  more  careful  mother  would  have  guarded 
against.  The  youth  of  eighteen  and  the  girl  of  sixteen  had 
feelings  very  different  from  those  which  had  actuated  them 
on  their  first  acquaintance  ;  and  Seymour,  who  was  staying 

at  the  M'Elvinas'  when  the  expected  arrival  of  Captain  M 

275 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

was  announced,  now  felt  what  pain  it  would  be  to  part  with 
Emily.  The  intelligence  was  communicated  in  a  letter  from 
Prose,  when  he  was  sitting  alone  with  M'Elvina,  and  the  bare 
idea  of  separation  struck  him  to  the  heart. 

M'Elvina,  who  had  often  expressed  his  opinion  on  the  sub- 
ject to  his  wife,  had  been  anxious  that  our  hero  should  be  sent 
on  a  foreign  station,  before  he  had  allowed  a  passion  to  take 
so  deep  a  root  in  his  heart,  that  to  eradicate  it  would  be  a 
task  of  great  effort  and  greater  pain.  Aware  from  the  flushed 
face  of  Seymour  of  what  was  passing  within,  he  quietly  intro- 
duced the  subject,  by  observing  that  in  all  probability  his 
favourite,  Emily,  would  be  married  previous  to  his  return — 
pointing  out  that  an  heiress  of  so  large  a  property  would  have 
a  right  to  expect  to  unite  herself  with  one  in  the  highest  rank 
of  society. 

Seymour  covered  his  face  with  his  hands  as  he  leant  over 
the  table.  He  had  no  secrets  from  M'Elvina,  and  acknow- 
ledged the  truth  of  the  observation.  "  I  have  brought  up  the 
subject,  my  dear  boy,"  continued  M'Elvina,  "  because  I  have 
not  been  blind,  and  I  am  afraid  that  you  will  cherish  a  feeling 
which  can  only  end  in  disappointment.  She  is  a  sweet  girl ; 
but  you  must,  if  possible,  forget  her.  Reflect  a  moment.  You 
are  an  orphan,  without  money  and  without  family,  although 
not  without  friends.,  which  you  have  secured  by  your  own 
merit ;  and  you  have  only  your  courage  and  your  abilities  to 
advance  you  in  the  service.  Can  it,  then,  be  expected  that 
her  parents  would  consent  to  a  union ;  or  would  it  be  honour- 
able in  you  to  take  any  advantage  of  her  youthful  preposses- 
sion in  your  favour,  and  prevent  her  from  reaping  those 
advantages  that  her  fortune  and  family  entitle  her  to?" 

Seymour  felt  bitterly  the  j  ustice  of  the  remark  ;  a  few  tears 
trickled  through  his  fingers,  but  his  mind  was  resolved.  He 
had  thought  to  have  declared  his  love  before  his  departure, 
and  have  obtained  an  acknowledgment  on  her  part ;  but  he 
now  made  a  firm  resolution  to  avoid  and  to  forget  her.  "  I 
shall  follow  your  advice,  my  dear  sir,  for  it  is  that  of  a  friend 
who  is  careful  of  my  honour ;  but  if  you  knew  the  state  of 
mind  that  I  am  in  ! — -How  foolish  and  inconsiderate  have  I 
been  ! — I  will  not  see  her  again." 

"  Nay,  that  would  be  acting  wrongly ;  it  would  be  quite 
unpardonable,  after  the  kindness  which  you  have  received 
276 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

from  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  not  to  call  and  wish  them  farewell. 
You  must  do  it,  Seymour.  It  will  be  an  exertion,  I  acknow- 
ledge ;  but  if  I  mistake  not  his  character,  not  too  great  a  one 
for  William  Seymour.  Good-night,  my  dear  boy." 

On  the  ensuing  morning  Seymour,  who  had  fortified  him- 
self in  his  good  resolutions,  walked  to  the  Hall  to  announce 
his  approaching  departure  on  foreign  service,  and  to  take  his 
farewell,  his  last  farewell,  of  Emily.  He  found  the  carriage 
at  the  door,  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  in  her  pelisse  and  bonnet, 
about  to  pay  a  visit  at  some  distance.  She  was  sorry  at  the 
information,  for  Seymour  was  a  great  favourite,  and  delayed 
her  departure  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  to  converse  with  him  ; 
at  the  end  of  which  Emily,  who  had  been  walking,  came  into 
the  library.  Communicating  the  intelligence  to  her  daughter, 
Mrs.  Rainscourt  then  bade  him  farewell,  and  expressing  many 
wishes  for  his  health  and  happiness,  was  handed  by  him  into 
the  carriage,  and  drove  off,  leaving  Seymour  to  return  to  the 
library,  and  find  himself — the  very  position  he  had  wished  to 
avoid — alone  with  Emily. 

Emily  Rainscourt  was  at  this  period  little  more  than  six- 
teen years  old  ;  but  it  is  well  known  that  in  some  families,  as 
in  some  countries,  the  advance  to  maturity  is  much  more  rapid 
than  in  others.  Such  was  the  case  with  our  heroine,  who, 
from  her  appearance,  was  generally  supposed  to  be  at  least 
two  years  older  than  she  really  was,  and  in  her  mind  she  was 
even  more  advanced  than  in  her  person. 

Seymour  returned  to  the  library,  where  he  found  Emily 
upon  the  sofa.  Her  bonnet  had  been  thrown  off,  and  the 
tears  that  were  coursing  down  her  cheeks  were  hastily  brushed 
away,  at  his  entrance.  He  perceived  it,  and  felt  his  case  to 
be  still  more  embarrassing. 

"  When  do  you  go,  William  ? "  said  Emily,  first  breaking 
silence. 

"  To-morrow  morning.  I  have  called  to  return  my  thanks 
to  your  mother,  and  to  you,  for  your  kindness  to  me ;  I  shall 
ever  remember  it  with  gratitude." 

Emily  made  no  answer,  but  a  deep  sigh  escaped. 

"  I  shall,"  continued  Seymour,  "  be  away  perhaps  for  years, 

and  it  is  doubtful  if  ever  we  meet  again.     Our  tracks  in  life 

are  widely   different.     I    am   an   orphan,   without   name  or 

connection — or  even  home,  except  through  the  kindness  of 

277 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

my  friends  :  they  were  right  when,  in  my  childhood,  they 
christened  me  the  '  King's  Own/  for  I  belong  to  nobody 
else.  You,  Miss  Rainscourt "  (Emily  started,  for  it  was  the 
first  time  that  he  had  ever  called  her  so  after  the  first  week  of 
their  acquaintance),  "  with  every  advantage  which  this  world 
can  afford,  will  soon  be  called  into  society,  in  which  I  never 
can  have  any  pretence  to  enter.  You  will  in  all  probability 
form  a  splendid  connection  before  (if  ever)  we  meet  again. 
You  have  my  prayers,  and  shall  have  them  when  seas  divide 
us,  for  your  happiness." 

Seymour  was  so  choked  by  his  feelings  that  he  could  say 
no  more — and  Emily  burst  into  tears. 

"  Farewell,  Emily  !  God  in  heaven  bless  you,"  said  Sey- 
mour, recovering  his  self-possession. 

Emily,  who  could  not  speak,  offered  her  hand.  Seymour 
could  not  control  himself;  he  pressed  her  lips  with  fervour, 
and  darted  out  of  the  room.  Emily  watched  him,  until  he 
disappeared  at  the  winding  of  the  avenue,  and  then  sat  clown 
and  wept  bitterly.  She  thought  that  he  was  unkind,  when 
he  ought  to  have  been  most  fond — on  the  eve  of  a  protracted 
absence.  He  might  have  stayed  a  little  longer.  He  had 
never  behaved  so  before ;  and  she  retired  to  her  room,  with 
her  heart  panting  with  anguish  and  disappointment.  She 
felt  how  much  she  loved  him,  and  the  acknowledgment  was 
embittered  by  the  idea  that  this  feeling  was  not  reciprocal. 

The  next  morning,  when  the  hour  had  passed  at  which 
Seymour  had  stated  that  he  was  to  leave  the  spot,  Emily 
bent  her  steps  to  the  cottage,  that  she  might,  by  conversation 
with  her  friend  Mrs.  M'Elvina,  obtain,  if  possible,  some  clue 
to  the  motives  which  had  induced  our  hero  to  behave  as  we 
have  narrated. 

Susan  was  equally  anxious  to  know  in  what  manner  Sey- 
mour had  conducted  himself,  and  soon  obtained  from  Emily 
the  information  which  she  required.  She  then  pointed  out 
to  her,  as  her  husband  had  done  to  Seymour,  the  improba- 
bility, if  not  impossibility,  of  any  happy  result  to  their  in- 
timacy, and  explained  the  honourable  motives  by  which 
Seymour  had  been  actuated — the  more  commendable,  as  his 
feelings  on  the  subject  were  even  more  acute  than  her  own. 
The  weeping  girl  felt  the  truth  of  her  remarks,  as  far  as  the 
justification  of  Seymour  was  attempted.  Satisfied  with  the 
278 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

knowledge  that  he  loved  her,,  she  paid  little  attention  to  the 
more  prudent  part  of  the  advice,  and  made  a  resolution  in 
his  favour,  which,  as  well  as  her  attachment  (unlike  most 
others  formed  during  the  freshness  of  the  heart),  through 
time  and  circumstance,  absence  on  his  part,  temptations  on 
hers,  continued  steadfast  and  immovable  to  the  last. 


CHAPTER  XLII 

First  Moloch,  horrid  king,  besmeared  with  blood 
Of  human  sacrifice,  and  parents'  tears  ; 
Though,  for  the  noise  of  drums  and  timbrels  loud, 
Their  children's  cries  unheard. 

MILTON. 

ONCE  more  the  Aspasia  flew  upon  the  wings  of  the  northern 
gale  to  secure  her  country's  dominion  over  far-distant  seas; 
and  many  an  anxious  eye,  that  dwelt  upon  the  receding  shore, 
and  many  an  aching  heart,  that  felt  itself  severed  from  home 
and  its  endearments,  did  she  carry  away  in  her  rapid  flight. 
Some  there  were  to  whom  the  painful  reflection  presented  itself 
— "Shall  I  e'er  behold  those  cherished  shores  again?"  This, 
however,  was  but  a  transitory  feeling,  soon  chased  away  by 
Hope,  who  delights  to  throw  her  sunny  beams  on  the  distance, 
while  she  leaves  the  foreground  to  the  dark  reality  of  life. 
All  felt  deeply,  but  there  was  none  whose  mental  sufferings 
could  be  compared  with  those  of  Seymour. 

Captain  M opened  his  sealed  orders,  and  found  that 

he  was  directed  to  proceed  forthwith  to  the  East  Indies. 
He  had  been  prepared  for  this,  by  indirect  hints  given  to 
him  by  the  First  Lord  of  the  Admiralty.  There  is  nothing 
so  tedious  as  making  a  passage,  and  of  all  others,  that  to 
the  East  Indies  is  the  most  disagreeable,  especially  at  the 
time  of  which  we  are  writing,  when  Sir  H.  Popham  had  not 
added  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope  to  the  colonial  grandeur  of 
the  country — so  that,  in  fact,  there  was  no  resting-place  for 
the  wanderer,  tired  with  the  unvarying  monotony  of  sky  and 
water.  We  shall  therefore  content  ourselves  with  stating, 
that  at  the  end  of  three  months  his  Majesty's  ship  Aspasia 
279 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

dropped  her  anchor  in  Kedgeree  Roads,  and  the  captain  of 
the  same  pilot  schooner  who  had  taken  charge  of  her  off  the 
Sand-heads  was  put  in  requisition  to  convey  Captain  M — 
and  his  despatches  up  to  Calcutta.  Courtenay,  Macallan, 
and  Seymour  were  invited  to  be  of  the  party ;  and  the  next 
morning  they  shifted  on  board  the  pilot  schooner,  and  com- 
menced the  ascent  of  the  magnificent  and  rapid  Hoogly. 

The  pilot  captain,  who,  like  all  those  who  ply  in  this 
dangerous  and  intricate  navigation,  had  been  brought  up  to 
it  from  his  youth,  was  a  tall  gaunt  personage,  of  about  fifty 
years  of  age,  and  familiar  in  his  manner.  Whether  he  had 
found  some  difficulty  in  keeping  in  check  the  passengers 
from  the  Indiamen  whom  he  had  been  in  the  habit  of  taking 
up  to  Calcutta  (whose  spirits  were,  in  all  probability,  rather 
buoyant  upon  their  first  release  from  the  confinement  of  a 
tedious  passage),  or  whether  from  a  disposition  naturally 
afraid  of  encroachment,  he  was  incessantly  informing  you 
that  "  he  was  captain  of  his  own  ship."  Although  in  all 
other  parts  he  was  polite,  yet  upon  this  he  paid  no  respect  to 
persons,  as  the  Governor-General  and  his  staff,  much  to  their 
amusement,  and  occasionally  to  their  annoyance,  found  to  be 
the  case  when  they  ascended  the  river  under  his  charge. 

"  Happy  to  see  you  on  board,  Captain  M .      Hope  you 

will  make  yourself  comfortable,  and  call  for  everything  you 
want.  Boy,  take  this  trunk  down  into  the  state  cabin. 
Happy  to  see  you,  gentlemen,  and  beg  you  will  consider 
yourselves  quite  at  home — at  the  same  time  beg  to  observe 
that  I'm  captain  of  my  own  ship." 

"  So  you  ought   to  be,"  replied  Captain  M ,  smiling, 

"if  your  ship  was  no  larger  than  a  nutshell.  I'm  captain  of 
my  own  ship,  I  can  assure  you." 

"Very  glad  we  agree   upon    that   point,   Captain   M . 

Young  gentleman,"  continued  he,  addressing  himself  to  Courte- 
nay, "you'll  oblige  me  by  not  coming  to  an  anchor  on  my  hen- 
coops. If  you  wish  to  sit  down,  you  can  call  for  a  chair." 

"  Rather  annoying,"  muttered  Courtenay,  who  did  not 
much  like  being  called  "  young  gentleman." 

"  A  chair  for  the  young  gentleman,"  continued  the  captain 

of  the   schooner.      "  Starboard  a  little,  Mr.   Jones — there  is 

rather  too  much  cable  out,  till  the  tide  makes  stronger.     I 

presume  you  are  not  used  to  kedging,  captain.     It's  H  very 

280 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

pretty  thing,  as  you  will  acknowledge.  Starboard  yet.  Give 
her  the  helm  quick,  Mr.  Thompson.  Why,  sir,  do  you  know 
that  I  was  once  very  nearly  on  shore  on  the  tail  of  this  very 
bank,  because  a  young  lady,  who  was  going  up  to  Calcutta, 
would  take  the  helm  ?  The  mate  could  not  prevent  her — 
she  refused  to  let  it  go ;  and  when  I  commanded  her,  told 
me.,  with  a  laugh,  that  she  could  steer  as  well  as  I  could.  I 
was  obliged  to  prove  to  her,  in  rather  an  unpleasant  manner, 
that  I  was  captain  of  my  own  ship." 

"Why,  you  did  not  flog  her,  did  you,  captain  ?" 

"  Why,  no,  not  exactly  that ;  but  I  was  obliged  to  jerk 
the  wheel  round  so  quick,  that  I  sprained  both  her  wrists 
before  she  had  time  to  let  it  go.  It  very  near  produced  a 
mutiny.  The  girl  fainted,  or  pretended  to  do  so,  and  all  the 
gentlemen  passengers  were  in  high  wrath — little  thinking, 
the  fools,  that  I  had  saved  their  lives  by  what  they  called  my 
barbarity.  However,  I  told  them,  as  soon  as  the  danger  was 
over,  that  I  was  captain  of  my  own  ship.  Sweet  pretty  girl 
too,  she  was.  We  were  within  an  inch  of  the  bank,  the  tide 
running  like  a  sluice,  and  should  have  turned  the  turtle  the 
moment  that  we  had  struck.  Such  a  thing  as  carrying  polite- 
ness too  far.  If  I  had  not  twisted  the  wheel  out  of  her  hands  as 
I  did,  in  two  minutes  more  the  alligators  would  have  divided 
her  pretty  carcass,  and  all  the  rest  of  us  to  boot.  No  occasion 

for  that,  Captain  M .  There's  plenty  of  black  fellows  for 

them  floating  up  and  down  all  day  long,  as  you  will  see." 

"  They  throw  all  their  dead  into  the  river,  do  they  not  ?  " 

"  All,  sir.  This  is  a  continuation  of  the  sacred  river,  the 
Ganges,  and  they  believe  that  it  ensures  their  going  to  heaven. 
Have  you  never  been  in  India  before  ?  " 

«  Never." 

"  Nor  these  three  gentlemen  ?  " 

"Neither  of  them." 

"  Oh,  then,"  cried  the  captain,  his  face  brightening  up  at 
the  intelligence,  as  it  gave  him  an  opportunity  of  amusing  his 
passengers ;  "  then,  perhaps,  you  would  not  object  to  my 
explaining  things  to  you  as  we  go  along  ?  " 

"  On  the  contrary,  we  shall  feel  much  indebted  to  you." 

"  Observe,"  said  the  captain,  looking  round  as  if  to  find  an 
object  to  decide  him  where  to  begin — "  do  you  see  that  body 
floating  down  the  river  with  the  crow  perched  upon  it,  and 
281 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

that  black  thing  flush  with  the  water's  edge  which  nears  it 
so  fast — that's  the  head  of  an  alligator  ;  he  is  in  chase  of  it." 

The  party  directed  their  attention  to  the  object ;  the  alli- 
gator, which  had  the  appearance  of  a  piece  of  black  wood 
floating  down  the  stream,  closed  with  the  body ;  his  upper 
jaw  rose  clear  out  of  the  water,  and  descended  upon  his  prey, 
with  which  he  immediately  disappeared  under  the  muddy 
water. 

"  By  the  Lord,  Mr.  Crow,  but  you'd  a  narrow  chance,  then," 
observed  the  captain  ;  "  you  may  thank  your  stars  that  you 
did  not  lose  your  life  as  well  as  your  breakfast.  Don't  you 
think  so,  young  gentleman  ?  "  continued  the  captain,  address- 
ing Courtenay. 

"  I  think,"  observed  Courtenay,  "  that  Mr.  Crow  was  not 
exactly  captain  of  his  own  ship." 

"Very  true,  sir.  That  point  of  land  which  we  are  just 

shutting  in,  Captain  M ,  is  the  end  of  Saugor  Island, 

famous  for  Bengal  tigers,  and  more  famous  once  for  the 
sacrifice  of  children.  You  have  heard  of  it  ?  " 

"  I  have  heard  of  it ;  but  if  you  have  ever  witnessed  the 
scene,  I  shall  be  obliged  by  your  narration." 

"  I  did  once,  Captain  M ,  but  nothing  would  ever  induce 

me  to  witness  it  again.  I  am  very  glad  that  Government  has 
put  a  stop  to  it  by  force.  You  are  aware  that  the  custom 
arose  from  the  natives  attempting  to  avert  any  present  or 
anticipated  calamity,  by  devoting  a  child  to  propitiate  the 
deity.  On  a  certain  day  they  all  assembled  in  boats,  with 
their  victims,  attended  by  their  priests  and  music,  and  deco- 
rated with  flowers.  The  gaiety  of  the  procession  would  have 
induced  you  to  imagine  that  it  was  some  joyous  festival, 
instead  of  a  scene  of  superstition  and  of  blood.  It  would 
almost  have  appeared  as  if  the  alligators  and  sharks  were 
aware  of  the  exact  time  and  place,  from  the  numbers  that 
were  collected  at  the  spot  where  the  immolation  took  place. 
My  blood  curdles  now  when  I  think  of  it.  The  cries  of  the 
natives,  the  shouting  and  encouraging  of  the  priests,  the 
deafening  noise  of  the  tom-toms,  mixed  with  the  piercing, 
harsh  music  of  the  country,  the  hurling  and  tossing  of  the 
poor  little  infants  into  the  water,  and  the  splashing  and  con- 
tention of  the  ravenous  creatures  as  they  tore  them  limb  from 
limb,  within  a  few  feet  of  their  unnatural  parents — the  whole 
282 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

sea  tinged  with  blood,  and  strewed  with  flowers  !  The  very 
remembrance  is  sickening  to  me. 

"  One  circumstance  occurred,  more  horrid  than  all  the  rest. 
A  woman  had  devoted  her  child — but  she  had  the  feelings  of 
a  mother,  which  were  not  to  be  controlled  by  the  blindest 
superstition.  From  time  to  time  she  had  postponed  the  ful- 
filment of  the  vow  until  the  child  had  grown  into  a  woman — 
for  she  was  thirteen  years  old,  which  in  this  country  is  the 
marriageable  age.  Misfortune  came  on,  and  the  husband  was 
told  by  the  priests  that  the  deity  was  offended,  and  that  the 
daughter  must  be  sacrificed,  or  he  would  not  be  appeased. 
She  was  a  beautiful  creature  for  a  native,  and  was  to  have 
been  married  about  the  very  time  that  she  was  now  to  be 
sacrificed.  I  see  her  now — she  was  dark  in  complexion,  as 
they  all  are,  but  her  features  were  beautifully  small  and 
regular,  and  her  form  was  perfect  symmetry.  They  took  off 
the  gold  ornaments  with  which  she  was  decorated,  and  in 
their  avarice  removed  her  garments,  as  she  implored  and 
entreated  on  her  knees  in  vain.  The  boat  that  she  was  in 
was  closer  to  the  shore  than  the  others,  and  in  shallow  water. 
They  forced  her  over  the  gunwale  ;  she  alighted  on  her  feet, 
the  water  being  up  to  her  middle,  and,  by  a  miracle,  escaped, 
before  a  shark  or  alligator  could  reach  her,  and  gained  the 
beach.  1  thought  that  she  was  saved,  and  felt  more  happy 
than  if  I  had  received  a  lac  of  rupees.  But  no— they  landed 
from  the  boats,  and  pushed  her  into  the  water  with  long 
poles,  while  she  screamed  for  pity.  A  large  alligator  swam 
up  to  her,  and  she  fell  senseless  with  fright,  just  before  he 
received  her  in  his  jaws.  So  I  don't  think  the  poor  creature 
suffered  much  after  that,  although  the  agony  of  anticipation 
must  have  been  worse  than  the  reality.  That  one  instance 
affected  me  more  than  the  scores  of  infants  that  were  sacrificed 
to  Moloch." 

Distressing  as  the  narrative  was,  there  was  a  novelty  and 
interest  in  it,  and  a  degree  of  feeling  unexpectedly  shown  by 
the  captain  of  the  pilot  vessel,  that  raised  him  in  the  opinion 

of  Captain  M ,  who  became  anxious  to  obtain  further 

information. 

"  They  consider  the  river  as  sacred— do  you  imagine  that 
they  consider  the  alligators  to  be  so  ?  " 

"  I  rather  think  that  they  do,  sir,  although  I  only  iudge 
283 


THE   KING'S   OXVN 

from  what  I  have  seen,  as  I  have  read  nothing  about  it.  At 
all  events,  the  presence  of  an  alligator  will  not  prevent  them 
from  performing  a  customary  duty  of  their  religion,  which  is, 
bathing  in  the  sacred  river.  The  people  come  down  to  bathe 
at  the  different  ghauts,  and  if  an  alligator  takes  one  of  them 
down,  it  will  not  prevent  the  others  from  returning  the  next 
morning,  even  if  one  was  to  be  taken  away  each  succeeding 
day.  I  rather  think  that,  in  the  discharge  of  a  sacred  duty, 
they  consider  all  accidents  of  this  kind  as  according  to  the 
will  of  the  deity,  and  a  sort  of  passport  to  heaven.  A  party 
of  murderous  villains  turned  this  feeling  of  their  countrymen 
to  good  account  at  a  ghaut  up  the  country.  The  natives  had 
bathed  there  for  centuries  without  any  accident  on  record, 
when  one  day  a  woman  disappeared  under  the  water  from 
amongst  the  rest,  and  every  day  for  many  weeks  the  same 
untoward  circumstance  occurred.  It  was  supposed  to  be  an 
alligator,  but  it  was  afterwards  ascertained  that  this  party  of 
thieves  had  concealed  themselves  in  the  jungle  on  the  oppo- 
site side  of  the  river,  which  at  that  part  was  deep,  but  not 
very  wide,  and  had  a  rope  with  a  hook  to  it  extended  under 
water  to  the  ghaut,  where  the  people  bathed.  Some  of  the 
gang  mingled  with  the  bathers,  and  slipping  down  under 
water,  made  the  rope  fast  to  the  legs  of  one  of  the  women, 
who  was  immediately  hauled  under  the  water  by  his  comrades 
concealed  on  the  opposite  side.  You  may  be  wondering  why 
the  rascals  took  so  much  trouble ;  but,  sir,  the  women  of  this 
country,  especially  those  of  high  caste  and  who  are  rich,  wear 
massive  gold  bangles  upon  their  arms  and  legs,  besides  orna- 
ments of  great  value  on  other  parts  of  their  person,  and  they 
never  take  them  off  when  they  bathe,  as  they  are  fastened  on 
so  as  not  to  be  removed.  It  was  from  the  observation  that 
this  supposed  alligator  was  very  nice  in  his  eating,  as  he  in- 
variably took  away  a  Brachmany  or  a  Rajahpoot  girl,  that  the 
plot  was  discovered.  We  are  now  abreast  of  the  Diamond 
Harbour,  a  sad,  unhealthy  place,  I  can  assure  you.  Port  a 
little,  Mr.  Jones — give  five  or  six  fathoms  more  cable  ;  we 
drag  too  fast.  This  is  a  very  dangerous  corner  that  we  are 
turning  now.  When  we  are  about  eight  miles  above  we  shall 
bring  up  and  go  to  dinner.  I  beg  your  pardon,  young  gentle- 
man, but  I'll  thank  you  to  leave  the  compasses  alone.  You'll 
excuse  me,  but  I  command  this  vessel." 
284. 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

The  pilot  schooner  rounded  the  point  in  safety,  and  in  less 
than  an  hour  brought  up  abreast  of  a  large  village.  The 
captain  stated  that  before  dinner  was  over  the  tide  would  be 
too  slack  to  go  further  on,  and  that  he  should  remain  there 
during  the  ebb,  and  not  weigh  till  early  the  next  morning. 

If,  therefore,  Captain  M and  the  gentlemen  felt  inclined 

to  take  a  stroll  after  dinner,  a  boat  was  at  their  service. 

This  was  gladly  assented  to,  and  when  dinner  was  over  the 
captain  of  the  schooner  ordered  the  boat  to  be  manned,  and 

at  the  request  of  Captain  M accompanied  them  on 

shore.  On  their  landing,  the  flocking  together  of  the  inhabi- 
tants, and  the  noise  of  the  music,  announced  that  something 
more  than  usual  was  going  on.  On  inquiry,  the  pilot  captain 
informed  them  that  the  rajah  of  the  village,  who  had  as- 
cended the  river  to  perform  his  vows  at  some  distant  shrine, 
had  not  returned  at  the  time  that  he  was  expected,  and  that 
the  natives  were  afraid  that  some  accident  had  occurred, 
and  were  in  consequence  propitiating  the  deity. 

"  You  will  now  have  an  opportunity  of  beholding  a  very 
uncommon  sight,  which  is  the  propitiatory  dance  to  Shivu. 
There  is  no  occasion  for  hurrying  on  so  fast,  young  gentle- 
man," continued  the  captain  to  Courtenay ;  "  they  will  con- 
tinue it  till  midnight." 

"  How  excessively  annoying  that  '  captain  of  his  own  ship ' 
is,"  observed  Courtenay  to  Macallan.  "'Young  gentleman  !' 
— as  if  he  could  not  see  my  epaulet." 

"  And  yet  there  is  nothing  particularly  to  be  affronted 
about.  You  have  a  very  youthful  appearance,  and  surely 
you  are  not  displeased  at  being  called  a  gentleman." 

"  Why,  no ;  but  that  is  the  reason  why  I  am  annoyed, 
because  I  cannot  take  it  up." 

The  party  soon  arrived  at  the  site  of  the  performance,  which 
was  on  a  small  arena  at  the  foot  of  a  pagoda.  The  pagoda, 
which  was  not  large,  was  evidently  of  very  ancient  date,  and 
the  carvings  in  bas-relief,  which  were  continued  round  on  its 
sides,  representing  processions  in  honour  of  the  deity,  were  of 
a  description  much  superior  to  the  general  execution  of  the 
Hindoos.  The  summit  had  bowed  to  time  ;  perishable  art  had 
yielded  to  eternal  nature — a  small  tree  of  the  acacia  species 
had  usurped  its  place,  and  as  it  waved  its  graceful  boughs  to 
the  breeze,  appeared  like  a  youthful  queen  reigning  over  and 
285 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

protecting  the  various  shrubs  and  plantswhich  luxuriated  in  the 
different  crevices  of  the  building.  The  dance  was  performed 
by  about  fifteen  men,  who  were  perfectly  naked,  their  long 
hair  falling  below  their  waists.  They  went  through  a  variety 
of  rapid  and  strange  evolutions,  with  a  remarkable  degree  of 
precision,  throwing  about  their  hands  and  arms,  and  distorting 
their  bodies,  even  to  their  fingers,  in  a  dexterous  and  almost 
terrific  manner.  Sometimes  they  would  suddenly  form  a  circle, 
and  with  a  simultaneous  jerk  of  their  heads  throw  their  long 
hair,  so  that  the  ends  would  for  a  moment  all  meet  together 
in  the  centre  ;  at  other  times  rolling  their  heads  upon  their 
shoulders  with  such  astonishing  velocity,  that  the  eye  was 
dazzled  as  they  flew  round  and  round,  their  hair  radiating  and 
diverging  like  the  thrumbings  of  a  mop  when  trundled  by 
some  strong-limbed  housemaid.  Their  motions  were  regulated 
by  the  tom-toms,  while  an  old  Brahmin,  with  a  ragged  white 
beard,  sat  perched  over  the  door  of  the  pagoda,  and  with  a 
small  piece  of  bamboo  struck  upon  the  palm  of  his  left  hand, 
as  he  presided  over  the  whole  ceremony.  After  a  few  minutes 
of  violent  exertion  he  gave  the  signal  to  stop,  and  the  per- 
formers, reeking  with  perspiration  from  every  pore,  bound 
up  their  wet  hair  over  their  foreheads,  and  made  room  for 
another  set,  who  repeated  the  same  evolutions. 

"  Is  this  religion  ? "  inquired  Seymour  of  Macallan,  with 
some  astonishment. 

"  That  is  a  difficult  question  to  answer  in  a  few  words.  We 
must  hope  that  it  will  be  acceptable  as  such,  for  its  votaries 
are  at  least  sincere." 

"  Oh  !  no  one  can  deny  the  warmth  of  their  devotion," 
observed  Courtenay  drily. 

The  extreme  heat  and  effluvia  from  the  crowds  of  natives 

who  witnessed  the  performance,,  forced  Captain  M and 

his  companions  unwillingly  to  abandon  a  scene  so  novel  to  a 
European.  At  the  proposal  of  their  conductor,  they  agreed 
to  continue  their  walk  to  the  outskirts  of  the  village. 

"  I  have  often  been  ashore  at  this  village,"  said  the  captain, 
"  for  they  make  the  small  mats  here  which  are  much  in  re 
quest  at  Calcutta,  and  I  have  frequent  commissions  for  them.  I 
can  show  you  a  novelty,  if  you  wish,  but  I  warn  you  that  it  will 
not  l>e  a  very  agreeable  sight.  The  nullah  that  runs  up  here 
frequently  leaves  the  dead  bodies  on  the  bank.  It  is  now  half- 
286 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

ebb,  and  if  you  wish  to  be  introduced  to  vultures  and  jackals,  I 
can  show  you  plenty.  But  prepare  yourself  for  a  disgusting 
sight,  for  these  animals  do  not  congregate  without  a  cause." 

"To  prey  on  the  dead  bodies,  I  presume  ?"  replied  Captain 

M ;  "  but  as  I  have  never  seen  these  animals  in  their 

wild  state,  my  curiosity  bears  down  any  anticipation  of  disgust. 
Let  me  not,  however,  influence  those  who  do  not  feel  inclined 
to  encounter  it." 

"  After  witnessing  that  dance,"  observed  Courtenay,  taking 
a  pinch  of  snuff,  "  I  am  fully  prepared  for  any  supper — it  is 
impossible  to  be  more  disgusting." 

Macallan  and  Seymour  having  expressed  a  wish  to  proceed, 
the  pilot  captain  led  the  way,  observing,  "  These  animals  are 
very  necessary  in  the  climates  to  which  they  are  indigenous  . 
they  do  the  duty  on  shore  which  the  alligators  do  in  the 
water — that  of  public  scavengers.  The  number  of  bodies 
that  are  launched  into  the  Ganges  is  incredible.  If  a  Hindoo 
is  sick,  he  is  brought  down  to  the  banks  by  his  relatives,  and 
if  he  does  not  recover,  is  thrown  into  the  river.  It  is  said, 
indeed,  that  if  they  are  known  to  have  money,  their  relatives 
do  not  wait  till  nature  tires  with  their  own  exertions,  but 
stop  their  mouths  with  clay,  to  prevent  the  possibility  of 
recovery.  There  is  a  strong  eddy  round  this  point,  and  the 
bodies  are  swept  into  the  nullah,  and  lie  dry  at  the  ebb." 

"  What  do  you  call  a  nullah  ?  "  inquired  Seymour. 

"  A  nullah  means  a  creek." 

"  I  was  so  stupidly  proud  that  I  did  not  like  to  ask ;  but  as 
Seymour  has  set  the  example,"  added  Courtenay,  "  pray  what 
is  a  ghaut?" 

"  A  landing-place.  See,  there  are  some  vultures  perched 
upon  that  tree,"  continued  the  pilot  captain,  as  they  ascended 
the  bank  of  the  nullah.  As  soon  as  they  arrived  at  the 
top  they  perceived,  to  their  horror,  seven  or  eight  bodies 
lying  in  the  mud,  surrounded  by  vultures  and  jackals,  who 
indiscriminately  mingled  together,  were  devouring  them. 

As  they  approached,  the  jackals  retreated,  looking  re- 
peatedly back,  and  sometimes  facing  round  to  the  party,  as  if 
to  inquire  why  they  disturbed  them  in  their  repast.  The 
vultures,  on  the  contrary,  did  not  attempt  to  move,  until 
Macallan  approached  to  within  a  few  feet,  and  then  those 
who  could  retired  a  few  yards,  or  took  their  stations  on  the  low 
287 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

branches  of  a  tree  close  by,  where  others,  who  were  already 
satiated,  were  sitting  with  drooping  wings  waiting  for  a  return 
of  appetite  to  recommence  their  banquet ;  others  were  so 
gorged,  that  they  could  riot  walk  away.  With  their  wings 
trailing  in  the  mud,  and  their  beaks  separated  as  if  gasping  for 
breath,  their  brilliant  eye  dulled  from  repletion— there  they 
remained,  emitting  an  effluvium  so  offensive,  that  the  numerous 
skeletons  and  the  mingled  remains  of  mortality  were  pleasing 
compared  to  such  disgusting  specimens  of  living  corruption. 

The  party  viewed  the  scene  for  a  minute  or  two  without 
speaking,  and  then  turned  away  by  common  consent,  and  did 
not  break  silence  until  they  had  left  it  far  behind. 

"I  begin  to  think,"  said  Courtenay,  taking  out  his  box, 
"  that  even  a  savage  may  occasionally  have  an  excuse  for  taking 
snuff  Did  you  ever,  in  your  whole  life,  come  in  contact  with 
such  a  stench?  Positively  it  has  impregnated  my  snuff. 
There's  a  strong  twang  of  the  vulture  in  it,"  continued  he, 
emptying  the  contents  of  the  box  upon  the  ground.  "  Now, 
that's -what  I  consider  cursedly  annoying." 

"  We  have  indeed  both  seen  and  heard  enough  for  one  day," 

observed  Captain  M ,  as  they  entered  the  boat.     "  Many 

thanks  to  you,  Mr.  ,  for  your  attention  to  our  wishes." 

"  Not  at  all,  Captain  M .      I  am  only  sorry  that  my  sights 

have  not  been  as  agreeable  as  they  are  novel ;  but  when  you 
arrive  at  Calcutta  you  will  find  novelty  combined  with 
pleasure." 

After  three  days,  which  appeared  to  have  fled  with  extra 
rapidity,  from  the  constant  amusement  derived  from  the  anec- 
dotes and  information  imparted  by  the  pilot  captain,  they 
sailed  up  Garden  Reach  with  a  fine  breeze  ;  and  the  city  of 
palaces,  the  only  one  that  deserves  its  name,  burst  in  all  its 
splendour  upon  their  sight. 

But  I  am  not  about  to  describe  it :  reader,  do  not  be  alarmed. 
It  is  not  in  my  province  as  a  novel-writer,  and  I  make  it  a 
rule  never  to  interfere  witli  anybody  else,  if  I  can  avoid  it. 
Captain  Hall,  who  has  already  done  North  and  South  America 
and  Loo  Choo,  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  be  here  by-and-by,  taking 
Africa  in  his  way  ;  and  as  I  can  make  up  my  three  volumes  of 
fiction  without  trespassing  upon  his  matter  of  fact,  I  refer  you 
to  his  work,  when  it  appears,  for  a  description  of  this  gorgeous 
monument  of  rapine,  this  painted  seoulehre  of  crime. 
288 


THE   KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  XLIII 

The  unwieldy  elephant, 

To  make  them  mirth,  used  all  his  might,  and  wreathed 
His  lithe  proboscis. 

MILTON. 

CAPTAIN  M remained  but  a  few   days   at   Calcutta, 

where  he  perceived  little  difference  between  the  society  and 
that  of  England,  remarking  only  that  the  gentlemen  were 
more  hospitable,  and  the  ladies  drank  more  beer.  But  I  am 
trespassing,  notwithstanding  my  promise  to  the  contrary  at 
the  end  of  the  last  chapter.  I  will  therefore  be  off  at  once, 
before  I  am  decidedly  guilty  of  a  breach  of  faith.  The 
Aspasia's  orders  were  to  join  the  admiral,  who  had  quitted 
the  Bay  of  Bengal  and  proceeded  to  Bombay  to  avoid  the 
monsoon,  which  was  about  to  set  in  ;  and  as  there  was  no 

time  to  be  lost,  Captain  M did  not  touch  at  Madras,  but 

made  all  possible  haste  to  gain  the  tranquil  side  of  the  penin- 
sula. The  Governor-General  had  requested  that  he  would  call 
at  Travancore,  to  deliver  a  letter  and  complimentary  present 
to  the  reigning  queen,  who  held  her  possessions  tributary  to 
our  Government. 

The  Aspasia  anchored  off  the  town,  and  was  shortly  after- 
wards boarded  by  one  of  the  ministers  of  the  queen,  a  vene- 
rable Mussulman,  who  brought  a  boatload  of  compliments  and 
vegetables.  He  was  accompanied  by  one  or  two  others,  among 

whom  was  a   very  indifferent   interpreter.      Captain   M , 

who  was  anxious  to  join  the  admiral,  excused  himself  on  the 
plea  of  ill  health  from  delivering  the  present  and  letter  in 
person,  and  expressed  his  wish  to  the  deputy  that  he  would 
take  them  in  charge,  stating  that  his  services  were  required 
elsewhere  ;  he  requested  that  an  answer  to  the  letter  might 
be  sent  on  board  as  soon  as  possible.  This  was  explained 

through  the  interpreter,  and  Captain  M then  inquired 

what  time  would  probably  elapse  before  the  answer  would  be 
sent.  The  reply  was,  in  a  week  or  ten  days. 

"  Ask  him,"  said  Captain  M ,  "  whether  it  cannot  be 

sent  to-morrow  morning,  as  I  am  anxious  to  proceed  ?  " 
289  T 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

After  an  exchange  of  several  sentences  between  the  inter- 
preter and  the  deputy,  who  observed  the  most  imperturbable 
gravity,  the  former  replied  to  Captain  M , 

"  He  say  no,  sar.  Little  people,  like  you  and  me,  write 
letter  very  quick,  all  in  one  minute.  Great  people,  like  king 
and  queen,  not  possible  write  letter  less  than  week  or  ten  days. 
Not  fashion  this  country,  sar." 

The  pi-esents  being  placed  in  the  boat,  and  the  letter  pre- 
sented on  a  silver  salver,  the  deputy  made  a  low  salaam,  and 

depai'ted.  Captain  M ,  aware  that  all  attempts  to  hasten 

them  would  be  useless,  made  no  further  remarks  on  the  subject. 
The  next  morning  the  same  grave  personage  came  on  board, 
attended  by  the  interpreter  and  his  suite,  with  many  compli- 
ments from  their  royal  mistress,  who  had  sent  a  present  for  the 
captain.  During  the  time  of  the  delivery  and  interpretation  of 
the  message,  the  natives  who  rowed  in  his  boat  handed  up  a 
large  black  monkey,  with  a  long  white  beard  extending  over 
his  chin  and  shoulders.  The  animal,  who  did  not  seem  well 
pleased  with  his  change  of  situation,  and  who  was  naturally  of 
a  vicious  temperament,  flew  round  and  round  the  length  of  his 
tether,  catching  at  the  trousers  of  the  sailors  with  his  paws  and 
teeth,  and  using  the  latter  without  the  least  ceremony. 

"Queen  say,  sar — Many  compliments,  and  tell  you  it  very 
high  caste  monkey — very  high  caste,  indeed,  sar — very  fine 
present,  sar." 

"It  may  be,"  observed  Captain  M to  the  first  lieu- 
tenant ;  "  but  I  wish  she  had  saved  herself  the  trouble.  I 
must  not  refuse  it ;  and  what  can  we  do  with  the  brute  ?  " 

"It  will  amuse  the  men,  sir;  he  seems  to  have  plenty  of 
devil  in  him." 

"  Oh  !  "  roared  Prose,  "  I  do  declare  he  has  bit  a  piece  out 
of  my  leg.  High  caste,  indeed.  I  should  like  to  give  him  a 
high  cast  overboard." 

"  Really,  Prose,  that's  not  so  bad,"  observed  Seymour. 
"  Jerry  was  correct  in  his  assertion  that  you  had  plenty  of  wit, 
only  it  required  strong  measures  to  extract  it  from  you." 

"  Queen  say,  sar,  write  letter  in  five  or  six  days,  and  say, 
suppose  Captain  Saib  and  officers  come  on  shore,  order  every- 
body go  hunt  tiger.  Queen  tell  people  make  everything 
proper.  Very  fine  tiger-hunt,  sar." 

Captain  M ,  who  was  convinced  that  he  must  patiently 

290 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

await  their  own  time,  did  not  expostulate  at  the  delay.  Not 
wishing  to  avail  himself  of  the  offer,  he  requested  the  officers 
would  consider  themselves  at  liberty  to  accept  the  invitation, 
which  was  intended  as  a  compliment,  and  therefore  ought  not 
to  be  refused. 

A  large  party  was  formed,  who  on  the  ensuing  day,  accom- 
panied by  the  deputy  and  his  suite,  and  provided  with  fowling- 
pieces  and  muskets,  landed  at  the  town,  where  they  were 
received  by  a  few  tom-toms  and  some  hundreds  of  spectators. 
On  their  arrival  at  a  house  which  had  been  prepared  for  their 
reception,  they  found  a  splendid  breakfast  awaiting  them,  to 
which  they  did  as  ample  justice  as  a  celebrated  traveller  to 
that  which  welcomed  him  at  New  York,  although  they  did 
not,  like  him,  revel  to  satiety,  by  plunging  into  oceans  of  tea 
and  coffee. 

Again  the  talents  of  the  interpreter  were  called  into  action, 
to  explain  the  reason  why  her  Majesty  could  not  receive  them, 
which  he  did  by  laying  his  hand  across  what  medical  men 
would  term  the  abdominal  region  (or,  as  Mrs.  Ramsbottom 
would  have  said,  "her  abominable  region"),  and  informing 
them  that  the  queen  was  not  well  there.  The  party  required 
no  further  explanation.  They  expressed  their  regrets,  finished 
their  breakfast,  and  then  stated  themselves  ready  to  proceed. 

"Game  not  come  yet,  sar — game  not  come  till  to-morrow." 

"  Well,  then,  we  must  go  to  it,"  replied  Courtenay. 

"  Ah,  gentleman  not  understand  shoot  in  this  country,"  con- 
tinued the  interpreter,  who  then,  with  some  difficulty,  contrived 
to  make  them  understand  that  about  four  thousand  men  had 
been  summoned  to  drive  the  game  close  to  the  town,  and  that, 
to  ensure  a  sufficiency  of  sport,  the  sweep  which  they  had 
taken  was  so  great,  that  they  would  not  close  in  till  the  next 
morning.  He  added,  that  as,  perhaps,  they  would  like  to  see 
the  jungle  to  which  the  game  was  to  be  driven,  horses  and 
elephants  had  been  prepared,  and  refreshments  would  be 
provided  at  any  spot  where  they  might  wish  to  alight. 

Macallan,  who  had  provided  himself  with  his  hammers  and 
other  implements  requisite  in  the  pursuit  of  his  favourite 
sciences,  mineralogy  and  geology,  was  not  sorry  for  the  delay, 
and  the  remainder  of  the  party  were  satisfied  with  the  idea  of 
a  pleasant  excursion.  Previous  to  their  setting  off,  a  variety 
of  performers  were  ordered  in  to  amuse  them  with  feats  of 
291 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

juggling  and  address,  which  would  have  been  acknowledged, 
if  seen  in  England,  to  have  far  surpassed  those  of  the  celebrated 
Ramoo  Samee  and  his  associates.  Amongst  the  rest,  the 
majestic  attitudes  of  the  dancing  snakes  particularly  attracted 
the  attention  of  Macallan,  who  expressed  to  the  interpreter 
his  wish  to  procure  one  of  the  species  (the  famed  cobra  di 
capella),  with  the  fangs  not  extracted.  The  interpreter,  after 
a  few  words  with  the  deputy,  informed  the  doctor,  with  his 
usual  politeness,  "  that  all  the  snakes  in  the  country  were  at 
the  service  of  the  gentleman ;  but  take  care  not  let  bite, 
because  very  high  caste  snake." 

"  What  do  they  mean  by  calling  the  animals  of  the  country 
high  caste  ?  "  inquired  Seymour  of  Macallan.  "  I  thought  it 
was  a  term  only  applied  to  the  Brachmins  and  Rajahpoots." 

"  Both  the  monkey  and  the  snake  arc  indirectly  worshipped 
by  these  people,"  replied  the  doctor,  "as  their  supposed 
deities  are  represented  to  have  assumed  these  forms.  The 
more  vicious,  or  the  more  venomous,  the  higher  they  rank. 
The  cobra  di  capella  is,  I  believe,  the  most  venomous  serpent 
that  exists." 

"  I  do  declare  that  that  monkey  deserves  his  rank,"  ob- 
served Prose.  "  I  can  hardly  walk,  as  it  is." 

"  Well,  but  you  can  ride,  Prose,  and  here  are  the  horses." 

The  horses,  with  three  elephants,  two  with  howdahs  on 
their  backs,  and  the  other  loaded  with  a  large  tent,  were 
now  paraded  before  the  door.  ;  each  horse  was  attended  by 
his  syce,  or  groom,  who  never  quitted  him,  but  fanned  away 
the  flies  with  a  chowry  or  whisk,  formed  of  a  horse's  tail. 
They  were  beautiful  animals,  but  much  too  spirited  for  some 
of  the  party,  who  felt  alarm  at  the  very  anticipation  of  the 
difficulty  they  would  have  in  retaining  their  seats. 

Prose,  who  had  never  been  twice  in  his  life  on  the  back 
of  any  animal,  was  in  sad  trepidation ;  he  looked  first  at 
the  horses,  who  were  plunging  and  rearing  in  the  hands 
of  the  syces,  who  could  with  difficulty  restrain  their  im- 
patience, and  then  at  the  elephants,  whose  stupendous  size, 
nourishing  probosces,  projecting  tusks,  and  small,  keen  eyes, 
equally  filled  him  with  dismay. 

"  I  do  declare,"  observed  Prose,  affecting  an  extra  limp, 
"my  leg  is  very  bad.  I  think — 

"Come,  come,  Mr.  Prose,  no  hauling  off;  no  leg-bail,  if 
292 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

you  please,"  said  Courtenay,  who,  with  Seymour,  was  already 
mounted  upon  a  spirited  Arabian ;  "  take  your  choice — but 
go  you  must." 

"Well,  then,  if  I  must,  which  would  you  advise  me  to 
take  ?  " 

"  Take  a  horse,"  said  Seymour,  laughing  ;  "  of  two  evils, 
always  choose  the  least." 

"  Take  an  elephant,  Mr.  Prose,"  cried  Courtenay ;  "  his 
size  is  double,  but  he'll  give  you  less  trouble." 

"  Why,  that's  a  rhyme,  I  do  declare ;  but  how  shall  I  get 
upon  his  back  ?  " 

"Oh,  he'll  take  you  up  in  his  trunk,  and  put  you  on." 

"  Indeed  he  shall  not,"  cried  Prose,  retreating  some  paces. 
"  I  say,  Mr.  Interpreter,  how  am  I  to  get  on  the  top  of  that 
great  beast  ?  " 

"As  you  please,  sar.  Suppose  you  like  get  up  before,  he 
lift  up  his  leg  for  you  to  climb  up.  Suppose  you  like  to  get 
up  behind,  he  not  say  nothing.  Suppose  you  wish  go  up  his 
middle,  you  ab  ladder. 

"Well,  then,  Mr.  Interpreter,  I  shall  feel  very  much 
obliged  to  you  for  a  ladder." 

A  ladder  was  brought.  Prose  and  Macallan,  with  his  im- 
plements, ascended  to  the  howdah,  fixed  on  the  back  of  the 
enormous  brute.  The  remainder  of  the  party  being  ready, 
they  set  off,  accompanied  by  the  deputy,  the  interpreter,  and 
several  other  handsomely  attired  natives,  who  out  of  compli- 
ment to  the  officers  had  been  ordered  to  attend  them.  The 
country,  like  most  parts  of  India  near  to  the  coast,  consisted 
of  paddy  or  rice  fields,  under  water,  diversified  with  inter- 
secting patches  of  jungle  and  high  trees.  Occasionally  they 
passed  a  deeper  pool,  where  the  buffaloes,  with  only  their 
horns  and  tips  of  their  noses  to  be  seen,  lay,  with  the  whole 
of  their  enormous  carcasses  hid  under  the  muddy  water,  to 
defend  themselves  from  the  attacks  of  the  mosquitoes  and 
the  powerful  rays  of  the  sun. 

"  Look  at  the  buffaloes,  Prose." 

"  Where,  Seymour  ?  I  can't  see  any.  I  never  saw  a 
buffalo  in  my  life.  It's  like  an  ox,  an't  it  ?  " 

"  It's  very  like  a  whale,"  replied  Courtenay. 

At  this  moment  one  of  the  herd,  startled  at  the  near  ap- 
proach of  the  cavalcade,  rose  from  the  stagnant  pool  where 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

he  had  been  lying,  and  presented  his  immense  carcass,  covered 
with  mud,  to  Prose's  wondering  eyes. 

"  Lord,  Molly,  what  a  fish  ! "  exclaimed  Courtenay,  with 
affected  surprise,  alluding  to  an  old-standing  naval  joke. 

"  Now,  is  that  a  fish  ? "  cried  Prose,  a  little  alarmed. 
"  Well,  I  do  declare  !  I  say,  Mr.  Interpreter,  what  is  that 
thing  ?" 

«  Call  him  buffalo,  sar." 

"  Well,  I  do  declare  !  I  always  thought  that  buffaloes 
were  animals  that  lived  on  shore." 

"  Nothing  like  travelling,  Mr.  Prose,"  observed  Courtenay  ; 
"  you'll  know  a  buffalo,  now,  if  ever  you  happen  to  hook  one 
when  you  are  fishing  out  of  the  fore-chains." 

"And  you'll  remember  a  high-caste  monkey,  if  ever  you 
meet  with  one  again,"  added  Seymour. 

"  That  I  shall,  all  the  days  of  my  life.' 

The  country  as  they  proceeded  inland  materially  altered 
its  features.  Forests  of  large  trees  and  fragments  of  rocks 
met  their  view  instead  of  the  paddy-fields  which  they  had 
left  behind  ;  and  Macallan  now  wished  to  descend,  that  he 
might  collect  geological  specimens.  Explaining  his  reasons, 
he  desired  the  interpreter  to  order  the  elephant  to  stop. 

"  Suppose  gentleman  want  stones,  elephant  give  them," 
replied  the  interpreter;  "no  occasion  for  Saib  to  get  off;" 
and  explaining  the  doctor's  wishes  to  the  conductor  of  the 
elephant,  the  knowledge  of  which  occasioned  a  laugh  among 
the  natives,  who  could  not  conceive  why  the  doctor  should 
want  the  stones,  he  continued,  "  Now,  sar,  you  point  any 
stone  you  want." 

The  doctor  did  so ;  and  the  conductor  speaking  to  the 
elephant,  the  proboscis  of  the  sagacious  animal  immediately 
handed  up  the  one  pointed  out  to  his  conductor,  who  passed 
it  to  Macallan. 

For  more  than  an  hour  the  doctor  amused  himself  with 
breaking  and  examining  the  different  specimens  presented  to 
him,  until  he  passed  by  an  isolated  mass,  whose  component 
parts,  glittering  in  the  sun,  made  him  anxious  to  obtain  a 
specimen.  It  was  a  large  rock,  about  the  size  of  six  elephants, 
and  the  doctor  pointed  to  it. 

"  Ah,  sar, "  interrupted  the  interpreter,  "  elephant  very 
strong  beast,  but  no  lift  that." 

2.94 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

ee  I  did  not  imagine  that  lie  would,  but  I  must  dismount  to 
examine  it/'  replied  Macallan  gravely.,  who  was  absorbed  in 
his  scientific  pursuits. 

The  elephant  stopped ;  and  the  doctor,  not  aware  of  the 
great  height,  attempted  to  slip  down  his  side  ;  he  succeeded 
in*  reaching  the  ground,  not  exactly  on  his  feet,  to  the  great 
amusement  of  the  party.  Regardless  of  trifles  when  in 
pursuit  of  science,  he  desired  Prose  to  throw  him  down  his 
bag  of  implements,  and  proceeded  to  the  object  of  his  investi- 
gation, which  appeared  to  him  so  peculiar,  that  he  requested 
the  others  to  continue  their  excursion,  and  leave  him  to  be 
picked  up  on  their  return. 

"Ah,  massa  !  like  stop  this  place  ?"  said  the  interpreter. 

"Yes,"  replied  the  doctor. 

"  Do  you  really  intend  to  remain  here  ?  "  inquired  Courtenay. 

"  I  do  ;  it  is  a  very  remarkable  specimen  of  cinnamon-stone, 
and  I  must  procure  some  of  it  if  possible." 

"Well,  I  do  declare,"  said  Prose;  "I  thought  cinnamon 
grew  upon  trees.  Doctor,  I  should  like  to  stay  with  you,  for 
this  beast  does  shake  me  so,  I'm  quite  sore — and  I've  such 
a  stitch  in  my  side." 

Prose  accordingly  prepared  to  descend,  and  was  recom- 
mended by  the  interpreter  to  slide  down  by  the  hind  leg  of 
the  animal. 

"  He  won't  kick,  will  he  ?  " 

"  Elephant  no  kick,  sar,"  and  Prose  descended  in  safety, 
while  the  remainder  of  the  party  continued  their  excursion. 

The  doctor  walked  several  times  round  the  rock  to  find  a 
point  upon  which  he  would  be  able  to  make  some  impression 
with  his  implements  ;  but  the  fragment,  which  had  probably 
remained  there  since  the  Deluge,  without  having  been  hon- 
oured by  a  visit  from  a  naturalist,  was  worn  quite  smooth 
by  time,  and  presented  no  acute  angle,  within  reach,  upon 
which  his  hammer  could  make  any  impression  ;  nor  could  he 
climb  it,  for  it  rose  from  its  base  in  almost  a  perpendicular 
line.  The  more  he  scrutinised,  the  more  anxious  was  he  to 
obtain  specimens,  and  he  determined  to  blast  the  rock.  Being 
prepared  with  a  couple  of  short  crowbars  and  a  flask  of  gun- 
powder, he  fixed  upon  a  corner,  which  appeared  more  assail- 
able than  the  rest,  and  commenced  his  laborious  occupation. 

"  Can  I  assist  you,  Mr.  Macallan  ?  "  inquired  Prose. 
295 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  You  can  indeed,  Mr.  Prose.  Now,  observe ;  continue 
driving  the  end  of  the  crowbar  straight  into  this  hole  until 
you  have  made  it  about  nine  or  ten  inches  deep ;  that  will 
be  sufficient.  I  will  make  another  on  the  other  side." 

Prose  commenced  his  labour,  and  for  a  few  minutes  worked 
with  due  emphasis ;  but  he  soon  found  out  that  he  had 
volunteered  to  a  most  fatiguing  task.  He  stopped  at  last 
for  want  of  breath. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Prose,"  inquired  the  doctor,  from  the  other  side 
of  the  rock,  observing  that  he  had  ceased  from  his  labour, 
"  how  do  you  get  on  ?  " 

"  I  wish  to  Heaven  I  had  never  got  off,"  muttered  Prose, 
"  for  this  is  worse  than  the  elephant." 

But  the  doctor  was  an  enthusiast,  a  description  of  person 
who  never  tires,  and  he  judged  of  others  by  himself. 

"  How  far  have  you  got  now,  Mr.  Prose  ?  " 

"  Oh,  I  think  I  have  got  an  inch  and  a  half  good,"  answered 
Prose,  quite  exhausted. 

"  No  more  !  "  exclaimed  Macallan ;  "  why,  you  must  work 
harder,  or  we  never  shall  blast  it." 

"  I  have  been  blasting  it  in  my  heart,"  thought  Prose,  "  for 
these  last  ten  minutes,"  and  he  resumed  his  labour. 

"  You  know  nothing  of  mineralogy  ?  "  inquired  the  doctor, 
after  a  silence  of  a  few  minutes. 

"  This  is  my  first  lesson,  doctor,"  answered  Prose,  out  loud ; 
and  muttering  in  continuation,  "  I  do  declare  it  shall  be  the 
last." 

"It's  a  very  amusing  study,"  continued  Macallan;  "but 
like  most  others,  rather  dry  at  first." 

"  Anything  but  drv,"  thought  Prose,  wiping  his  face  with 
his  handkerchief. 

"  I  shall  be  happy  to  give  you  any  information  in  my  power," 
said  Macallan  ;  "  but  you  must  be  attentive — nothing  is  to  be 
obtained  without  labour." 

"  I'm  sure  mineralogy  is  not,"  retorted  Prose,  throwing 
down  his  crowbar  from  exhaustion. 

Fortunately  for  Prose,  by  the  directions  of  the  interpreter 
the  baggage  elephant  who  carried  the  tent,  and  the  natives 
accompanying  it,  now  halted  opposite  to  the  rock,  on  the  side 
where  Prose  was;  for  the  wish  expressed  by  Macallan  to  remain 
there  had  been  construed  by  the  interpreter  as  a  selection  of 
296. 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

the  place  where  the  refreshments  should  be  prepared.  One  of 
the  natives,  perceiving  what  Prose  was  about  when  he  threw 
away  the  crowbar,  offered  his  assistance,  which  was  readily 
accepted,  and  the  labour  was  continued. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Prose,  how  do  you  get  on  now  ?  " 

"Oh  !  capitally." 

"  Don't  you  find  it  very  warm  ?  "  continued  Macallan,  who 
stopped  to  wipe  the  streams  of  perspiration  from  his  own  face. 

"  Oh  no,"  answered  Prose,  chuckling. 

"  Well,  I  do,  I  can  assure  you,"  answered  the  doctor,  who, 
not  wishing  to  show  symptoms  of  flagging  while  Prose  was 
working  so  hard,  recommenced  his  labour. 

Another  quarter  of  an  hour,  and  the  doctor  was  quite  ex- 
hausted ;  wishing  for  an  excuse  to  leave  off  himself,  he  called 
again  to  Prose — 

"  Ant  you  tired,  Mr.  Prose  ?  " 

"  Not  the  least,  doctor." 

"  Oh,  but  you  must  be — you  had  better  rest  yourself  a  little." 

"Thank  you,  but  I'm  not  the  least  tired." 

Another  five  minutes. — "  Well,  Mr.  Prose,  I  really  give  you 
great  credit  for  your  perseverance.  Let  me  see  how  deep  you 
are,"  said  Macallan,  who  could  find  no  other  excuse  for  being 
the  first  to  abandon  his  task. 

But  Prose,  who  was  not  exactly  a  fool,  determined  not  to 
lose  his  credit  with  ythe  doctor ;  pushing  aside  the  native,  he 
took  the  crowbar  from  him,  and  before  the  doctor  had  walked 
round,  was  again  hard  at  work. 

"  Upon  my  honour  I  give  you  great  credit,"  observed  the 
panting  Macallan,  as  he  witnessed  the  effects  of  the  labour. 

"  But,"  observed  Prose,  "  why  should  we  work  this  way 
when  there  are  a  parcel  of  black  fellows  doing  nothing  ? 
Here,  I  say,  you  chap,  come  and  punch  here,"  continued  he, 
pointing  the  crowbar  to  the  native,  who  immediately  resumed 
his  labour.  "  You  call  another,  Mr.  Macallan,  and  make  him 
work  for  you." 

"Well  thought  of,  Mr.  Prose,"  answered  the  doctor,  and 
another  native  being  put  in  requisition,  in  less  than  an  hour 
the  rock  was  perforated  to  the  depth  required,  without  the 
least  appearance  of  fatigue  or  even  heat  upon  the  skins  of  the 
temperate  Hindoos.  In  the  meantime  the  tent  was  erected 
the  mats  and  carpets  spread,  the  fires  lighted,  and  the  repast 
297 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

preparing  by  the  cooks  who  were  in  attendance.  The  doctor, 
who  was  absorbed  in  his  views,  heeded  it  not,  and  had  j  ust 
finished  the  charging  and  priming  of  the  rock  when  the  caval- 
cade returned  from  their  excursion. 

Well,  doctor,  how  do  you  get  on  ?  "  inquired  Courtenay. 
Oh,  I'm  all  ready,  and  you  had  better  remove  to  a  little 
distance,  as  I'm  about  to  fire  my  trains." 

'  Fire  your  trains  !     Why,  what  have  you  been  about  ?  " 

'  I  am  going  to  blast  the  rock." 

'The  devil  you  are — then  I'm  off,"  cried  Courtenay,  who  with 
Seymour  retreated  from  the  well-known  effects  of  gunpowder. 

The  natives  who  accompanied  them  also  retired,  although  not 
aware  of  the  nature  of  the  operation.  The  interpreter  under- 
stood "gentlemen  make  fireworks,"  and  reported  accordingly. 

The  doctor  lighted  his  matches  and  withdrew,  followed  by 
Prose,  who  forgot  his  limp  upon  this  occasion.  The  mines 
exploded,  splitting  large  fragments  from  the  rock,  and  shak- 
ing it  from  its  base. 

"  Capital ! "  exclaimed  the  doctor,  who  as  soon  as  the 
smoke  had  cleared  away  ran  up,  and  was  in  ecstasies  at  the 
variety  and  brilliancy  of  the  specimens  which  were  now 
exposed  to  his  eager  view. 

But  in  his  enthusiasm  the  doctor  quite  overlooked  the 
mischief  which  he  had  occasioned.  One  large  fragment  had 
struck  the  tent  to  the  ground  ;  others  had  scattered  the 
cooking  utensils,  with  their  contents,  and  wounded  the  unfortu- 
nate cooks  ;  while  the  affrighted  elephant  had  completed  the 
demolition  by  trotting  over  the  whole,  his  trunk  raised  high 
in  the  air,  uttering  shrill  cries,  and  regardless  of  the  admoni- 
tions of  his  conductor.  All  was  confusion  and  dismay. 

The  natives  when  they  witnessed  the  damage  were  asto- 
nished. A  long  consultation  took  place  between  them  as  to 
what  the  doctor  meant ;  at  last  it  was  decided  by  the  grave 
deputy  that  it  was  intended  as  a  compliment  to  them — for 
all  fireworks  were  compliments  in  that  country.  They  there- 
fore salaamed  with  great  good-humour;  but  the  English 
knew  better,  and  commenced  a  violent  attack  on  Macallan, 
who  was  still  absorbed  in  collecting  specimens,  and  quite 
unconscious  of  the  mischief  which  he  had  created. 

"  You've  not  only  destroyed  our  dinner,"  continued  Courte- 
nay, "  but  you've  killed  three  cooks,  and  wounded  seven  more." 
298 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"  Is  it  possible  !  "  cried  Macallan  with  dismay,  throwing 
away  his  specimens  with  as  much  haste  as  he  had  seized  upon 
them,  and  running  in  the  direction  of  the  men  reported  to  be 
hurt.  Fortunately  for  his  peace  of  mind  Courtenay's  list  of 
killed  was  all  invention,  and  the  wounded  were  reduced  to 
two,  which  the  doctor  conscientiously  reported  under  the  head 
of  "slightly." 

There  was  no  help  but  to  proceed  to  town,  and  wait  until 
another  repast  could  be  provided.  This  was  soon  done,  aiul 
the  interpreter,  with  a  double  salaam,  informed  the  doctor, 
that  "  if  gentleman  wish  blow  up  another  tent,  deputy  have 
one  ready  for  him  next  day." 

"Well,  now,  I  do  declare  these  people  are  very  polite," 
observed  Prose  ;  "  but  I  hope  that  if  you  do,  doctor,  you  will 
not  make  me  a  party  to  it.  I  would  never  have  punched  so 
hard  at  that  hole  if  I  thought  that  it  was  to  have  blown  up 
my  own  dinner." 

"  You're  right,  Mr.  Prose,"  answered  Courtenay.  "  The 
doctor  did  not  treat  us  according  to  the  Scriptures.  We 
asked  for  bread,  and  he  gave  us  a  stone — rather  annoying  too, 
after  a  long  ride.  But,  however,  as  the  game  is  to  come  to  us 
to-morrow,  we  had  better  be  up  early  to  receive  it  in  due  form 
— so  good-night." 


CHAPTER  XLIV 

Now  shall  ye  see 
Our  Roman  hunting. 

SHAKSPEAEE. 

Never  did  I  hear 

Such  gallant  chidiug  ;  for  besides  the  groves, 
The  skies,  the  fountains,  ev'ry  region  near 
Seemed  ail  one  mutual  cry.     1  never  heard 
So  musical  a  discord,  such  sweet  thunder ! 

SHAKSPEARE. 

AT  an  early  hour,  Courtenay  and  his  companions  started  with 
their  attendants  for  the  scene  of  action.  Several  elephants, 
as  well  as  horses,  had  been  provided,  that  the  officers  might 
mount  them  when  they  arrived,  and  fire  from  their  backs 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

with  more  deliberate  aim.  In  less  than  two  hours  they 
reached  the  spot  which  they  had  surveyed  the  day  before. 
The  game,  which  had  been  driven  from  jungle  to  jungle  for 
many  miles  round,  was  now  collected  together  in  one  large 
mass  of  underwood  and  low  trees,  three  sides  of  which  were 
surrounded  by  the  natives,  who  had  been  employed  in  the 
service,  and  who  had  been  joined  by  many  hundreds  from 
the  town  and  neighbouring  villages.  As  soon  as  the  party 
arrived,  those  who  were  on  horseback  dismounted,  took  their 
stations  upon  the  howdahs  of  the  elephants,  and  collected 
at  the  corner  of  that  side  of  the  jungle  at  which  the  animals 
were  to  be  driven  out.  The  scene  was  one  of  the  most 
animating  and  novel  description.  Forty  or  fifty  of  the  superior 
classes  of  natives,  mounted  upon  fiery  Arabians,  with  their 
long,  glittei'ing  boar-spears  in  their  hands,  and  above  one 
hundred  on  foot,  armed  with  muskets,  surrounded  the 
elephants  upon  which  the  officers  were  stationed.  The  people 
who  were  waiting  round  the  jungle,  silent  themselves,  and 
busy  in  checking  the  noise  and  impatience  of  the  dogs,  held 
in  leashes,  whose  deep  baying  was  occasionally  answered  by 
a  low  growl  from  the  outskirts  of  the  wood,  now  received  the 
order  to  advance.  Shouts  and  yells,  mixed  with  the  barking  of 
the  dogs,  were  raised  in  deafening  clamour  on  every  side.  The 
jungle,  which  covered  a  space  of  fifteen  or  twenty  acres,  and 
which  had  hitherto  appeared  but  slightly  tenanted,  answered  as 
if  endued  with  life,  by  waving  its  boughs  and  rustling  its  bushes 
in  every  direction,  although  there  was  nothing  to  be  seen. 

As  they  advanced,  beating  with  their  long  poles,  and  pre- 
serving a  straight  and  compact  line,  through  which  nothing 
could  escape,  so  did  the  jungle  before  them  increase  its  motion  ; 
and  soon  the  yells  of  thousands  of  men  were  answered  by  the 
roars  and  cries  of  thousands  of  brute  animals.  It  was  not, 
however,  until  the  game  had  been  driven  so  near  to  the  end 
of  the  jungle  at  which  the  hunters  were  stationed,  and  until 
they  were  huddled  together  so  close  that  it  could  no  longer 
contain  them,  that  they  unwillingly  abandoned  it.  The  most 
timorous,  the  rabbit  and  the  hare,  and  all  the  smaller  tribes, 
first  broke  cover,  and  were  allowed  to  pass  unnoticed ;  but 
they  were  soon  followed  by  the  whole  mass,  who,  as  if  by 
agreement  among  themselves,  had  determined  at  once  to 
decide  their  fate. 

300 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Crowded  in  incongruous  heaps,  without  any  distinction  of 
species  or  of  habits,  now  poured  out  the  various  denizens  of 
the  woods  —  deer  in  every  variety,  locking  their  horns  in 
their  wild  confusion ;  the  fierce  wild-boars,  bristling  in  their 
rage  ;  the  bounding  leopards ;  the  swift  antelope,  of  every 
species ;  the  savage  panthers ;  jackals,  and  foxes,  and  all  the 
screaming  and  shrieking  infinities  of  the  monkey  tribe.  Occa- 
sionally amongst  the  dense  mass  could  be  perceived  the  huge 
boa-constrictor,  rolling  in  convolutions  —  now  looking  back 
with  fiery  eyes  upon  his  pursuers,  now  precipitating  his  flight ; 
while  the  air  was  thronged  with  its  winged  tenants,  wildly 
screaming,  and  occasionally  dropping  down  dead  witli  fear. 
To  crown  the  whole,  high  in  the  expanse  a  multitude  of 
vultures  appeared,  almost  stationary  on  the  wing,  waiting  for 
their  share  of  the  anticipated  slaughter.  And  as  the  beasts 
threw  down  and  rolled  over  each  other  in  their  mad  career, 
you  might  have  fancied,  from  the  universal  terror  which  pre- 
vailed, that  it  was  a  day  of  judgment  to  which  the  inhabitants 
had  been  summoned. 

It  was  not  a  day  of  mercy.  The  slaughter  commenced  ; 
shot  after  shot  laid  them  in  the  dust,  while  the  natives,  on 
their  Arabians,  charged  with  their  spears  into  the  thickest  of 
the  crowd,  regardless  of  the  risk  which  they  encountered  from 
the  muskets  of  other  parties.  The  baying  of  the  large  dogs, 
who  tore  down  their  victims,  the  din  occasionally  increased 
by  the  contention  and  growls  of  the  assailed,  the  yells  of  the 
natives,  and  the  shrill  cries  of  the  elephants,  raised  in 
obedience  to  their  conductors  to  keep  the  more  ferocious 
animals  at  a  distance,  formed  a  scene  to  which  no  pen  can 
do  justice.  In  a  few  minutes  all  was  over ;  those  who  had 
escaped  were  once  more  hid,  panting,  in  the  neighbouring 
jungles,  while  those  who  had  fallen  covered  the  ground,  in 
every  direction,  and  in  every  variety. 

"  Very  fine  tiger-hunt,  sar,"  observed  the  interpreter  to 
Courtenay,  with  exultation. 

"Very  fine  indeed.  Seymour,  this  is  something  like  a  battue. 
What  would  some  of  your  English  sportsmen  have  given  to 
have  been  here  ?  But,  interpreter,  I  don't  see  any  tigers." 

"  Great  tigers  ?  No,  sar,  no  great  tiger  in  this  country. 
Call  dis  tiger,"  said  the  man,  pointing  with  his  finger  to  a 
prostrate  leopard. 

301 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

Such  is  the  case — the  regal  Bengal  tiger,  as  well  as  his  rival 
the  lion,  admits  of  no  copartnership  in  his  demesnes.  On  the 
banks  of  the  impetuous  rivers  of  India  he  ranges  alone  the 
jungles  which  supply  his  wants,  and  permits  them  not  to  be 
poached  by  inferior  sportsmen.  Basking  his  length  in  the  sun, 
and  playing  about  his  graceful  tail,  he  prohibits  the  intrusion 
of  the  panther  or  the  leopard.  His  majestic  compeer  seems 
to  have  entered  into  an  agreement  with  him,  that  they  shall 
not  interfere  with  each  other's  manorial  rights,  and  where  you 
find  the  royal  tiger,  you  need  not  dread  the  presence  of  the 
lion.  Each  has  established  his  dominion  where  it  has  pleased 
him,  both  respecting  each  other,  and  leaving  the  rest  of  the 
world  to  be  preyed  upon  by  their  inferiors. 

"  Well,  Prose,  how  many  did  you  kill  ?  " 

"Why,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  Seymour,  I  never  fired  my 
musket.  I  was  so  astonished  and  so  frightened  that  I  could 
not ;  I  never  believed  that  there  were  so  many  beasts  in  the 
whole  universe." 

"  I  am  convinced,"  observed  Macallan,  "  that  I  saw  an 
animal  hitherto  undescribed — I  fired  at  it,  but  an  antelope 
bounded  by  as  I  pulled  my  trigger,  and  received  the  ball — I 
never  regretted  anything  so  much  in  my  life.  Did  you  see  it?" 

"  I  saw  a  number  of  most  indescribable  animals,"  replied 
Courtenay  ;  "  but  let  us  descend  and  walk  over  the  field  of 
slaughter." 

The  party  dismounted,  and  for  some  time  amused  themselves 
with  examining  the  variety  of  the  slain.  The  deer  and  ante- 
lopes were  the  most  plentiful ;  but  on  enumeration,  nine 
panthers  and  leopards,  and  fifteen  wild  boars,  headed  the  list. 
Prose  and  Seymour  were  walking  side  by  side,  when  they 
perceived  a  monkey  sitting  on  the  ground,  with  a  most  piti- 
ful face  ;  it  was  of  a  small  variety,  with  a  long  tail ;  it  made 
no  effort  to  escape  as  they  approached  it,  but,  on  the  contrary, 
appeared  to  court  their  notice,  by  looking  at  them  with  a 
melancholy  air,  and  uttering  loud  cries  as  if  in  pain. 

"  Poor  little  fellow,"  said  Seymour,  apostrophising  the 
animal,  "  it  looks  as  if  it  were  a  rational  being.  Where  are 
you  hurt  ?  " 

The  monkey,  as  if  it  were  a  rational  being,  looked  down 
at  one  of  his  hind  legs,  and  put  his  finger  into  the  wound 
where  the  ball  had  entered. 

302 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"Well,  now,  I  do  declare,"  said  Prose,  "but  the  poor  beast 
understands  you." 

Seymour  examined  the  leg  without  any  resistance  on  the 
part  of  the  monkey,  who  continued  to  look  first  at  the  wound 
and  then  in  their  faces,  as  if  to  say,  "Why  did  you  do  it  ?  " 

"  Macallan,  come  here,"  ejaculated  Seymour,  "  and  see  if 
you  can  assist  this  poor  little  fellow." 

Macallan  came  up  and  examined  the  wound.  "  I  think  it 
will  recover ;  the  bone  is  not  broken,  and  no  vital  part  is 
touched.  We'll  bandage  it  up  and  take  him  home." 

"  How  very  like  a  human  being  it  is,"  .observed  Courtenay  ; 
"  it  appears  only  to  want  speech — it's  'really  excessivel}7 
annoying." 

"  Rather  mortifying  to  our  pride,  I  grant,"  replied  Macallan. 

"That's  exactly  what  I  mean." 

Seymour  tore  up  his  handkerchief  for  bandages,  and  the 
monkey  was  consigned  to  the  care  of  a  native.  (Par  parenthesc, 
it  eventually  recovered  ;  and  from  the  peculiarity  of  its  his- 
tory, and  the  request  of  Seymour,  was  allowed  by  Captain 

M to  remain  on  board  of  the  frigate,  where  it  became  a 

great  favourite.  High  Caste,  on  the  contrary,  disappeared  a 
few  days  after  his  reception,  having  been  thrown  overboard  by 

some  of  the  people  that  he  had  bitten,  and  Captain  M made 

no  inquiries  after  him.  So  much  for  the  two  monkeys.) 

By  this  time  the  natives  had  collected  the  game,  which  was 
carried  in  procession  before  the  officers- — the  leopards  and 
panthers,  which  they  skinned  and  rudely  stuffed  with  gra:;:; 
in  an  incredibly  short  time,  leading  the  procession,  followed 
by  the  wild  boars,  deer,  and  antelopes,  each  carried  between 
two  men,  slung  under  bamboos  which  rested  on  their  shoulders. 
The  procession  having  passed  in  review  before  them,  con- 
tinued its  course  to  the  town,  followed  by  crowds  of  people 
who  had  come  out  to  join  the  sport. 

"  Gentlemen  like  dine  here  ?  "  inquired  the  interpreter  ; 
"  soon  make  dinner  ready,  but  no  ab  tent." 

"  Thanks  to  you,  doctor,  they  won't  trust  us  with  another. 
I  vote  we  dine  here  ;  for  I  am  hungry  enough  to  eat  a  buffalo, 
without  anchovy  sauce-r— eh,  Mr.  Prose  ?  Let  us  dine  under 
yon  acacia  on  the  little  mount.  There  is  a  fine  breeze  blow- 
ing, and  plenty  of  shade  from  the  tree." 

Courtenay's  proposal    was  agreed  to,  and   the  interpreter 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

gave  the  directions.  He  then  told  the  doctor,  that  if  Saib 
wished  to  see  snake-man,  he  come  now,  and  bring  very  fine 
snake. 

The  man  made  his  appearance,  holding  in  his  hand  a  small 
earthen  chatty,  or  pot,  in  which  he  had  confined  the  snake, 
covered  over  with  a  linen  rag.  He  exchanged  a  few  sentences 
with  the  interpreter,  who  explained  that  "  man  not  afraid  of 
bite  of  snake,  and  if  gentleman  give  him  rupee,  he  let  snake 
bite  him — man  eat  herb,  same  as  little  beast  that  kill 
snake." 

"Oh,  that  plant  that  the  ichneumon  resorts  to  when 
bitten,"  exclaimed  Macallan.  "This  will  be  a  most  curious 
fact,  and  I  must  witness  it.  Interpreter,  tell  him  that  I  will 
reward  him  handsomely." 

"How  does  he  catch  the  snakes?"  inquired  Seymour. 

"  Blow  little  pipe,  sar,"  replied  the  interpreter,  pointing  to 
a  small  reed,  perforated  with  five  or  six  holes,  suspended  by 
a  string  to  the  man's  neck  ;  "snake  like  music." 

He  then  proceeded  to  explain  the  manner  of  taking  the 
snakes,  which  was  effected  by  lying  down  close  to  the  hole 
where  the  snake  was,  and  by  playing  a  few  soft  notes  with 
the  pipe.  The  snake,  attracted  by  the  sound,  puts  his  head 
out  of  the  hole,  and  is  immediately  firmly  grasped  by  the 
neck,  by  which  he  is  held  until  his  fangs  are  extracted,  by 
jerking  them  out  with  a  piece  of  rag,  held  for  him  to  bite  at. 

"Strange,"  observed  Courtenay,  "that  snakes  should  be 
fond  of  music,  and  still  stranger  that  people  should  have 
discovered  it." 

"And  yet  it  has  long  been  known — perhaps  from  time 
immemorial,"  answered  Macallan.  "  The  comparisons  of  Scrip- 
ture are  all  derived  from  eastern  scenery  and  eastern  customs. 
Do  you  not  recollect  the  words  of  the  Psalmist,  who  compareth 
the  wicked  to  the  deaf  adder,  who  '  will  not  hearken  to  the 
voice  of  the  charmer,  charm  he  never  so  wisely  '  ?  " 

"  I  recollect  it  now,"  answered  Courtenay  ;  "  from  which  I 
infer,  that  as  snakes  are  not  caught  for  nothing,  they  danced 
before  King  Solomon." 

"  Perhaps  they  did,  or  at  least  in  his  time." 

The  man  carefully  removed  the  cloth  from  the  top  of  the 
chatty,  and  watching  his  opportunity,  seized  the  snake  by  the 
neck,  who  immediately  wound  itself  round  his  arm.  Holding 
304 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

it  in  that  position,  he  rapidly  chewed  leaves  which  he  had 
wrapped  in  the  cloth  which  encircled  his  loins.  After  having 
laid  a  heap  of  the  masticated  leaves  near  him,  he  swallowed  a 
large  quantity,  and  then  applied  the  head  of  the  snake  to  his 
left  ear,  which  the  animal  immediately  bit  so  as  to  draw  blood. 
It  was  a  cobra  di  capella  of  the  largest  size,  being  nearly  six 
feet  long.  As  soon  as  the  snake  had  bitten  him  he  replaced 
it  in  the  chatty,  and  at  the  same  time  that  he  continued  to 
swallow  the  leaves,  rubbed  the  wounded  part  with  some  of  the 
heap  which  he  had  masticated  and  laid  down  beside  him. 

There  was  a  silence,  and  a  degree  of  painful  anxiety,  on 
the  part  of  the  spectators  during  the  process.  The  man  ap- 
peared to  be  sick  and  giddy,  and  lay  clown,  but  gradually 
recovered,  and  making  a  low  salaam,  received  his  largess, 
handed  the  snake,  in  the  chatty,  to  Macallan,  and  departed. 

"  A  most  curious  fact — an  excessively  curious  fact,"  observed 
the  doctor,  putting  up  his  tablets,  and  a  handful  of  the  leaves, 
which  he  had  taken  the  precaution  to  obtain. 

"Now,  gentlemen,  dinner  all  ready,"  observed  the  in- 
terpreter. 

The  dinner  had  been  spread  out  on  the  little  mount  pointed 
out  by  Courtenay.  It  rose  isolated  from  the  plain  to  the 
height  of  about  thirty  feet,  with  a  steep  and  regular  ascent  on 
every  side.  The  summit  was  flat,  and  in  the  centre  the  acacia 
waved  its  graceful  and  pendent  flowers  to  the  breeze,  each 
moment  altering  the  position  of  the  bright  spot  of  sunshine 
which  pierced  through  its  branches  and  reflected  on  the  grass 
beneath.  The  party  (consisting  of  the  officers  of  the  ship,  the 
grave  deputy,  and  his  immediate  suite,  about  fifteen  in  number), 
whose  appetites  were  keen  from  their  morning  exercise  and 
excitement,  gladly  hailed  the  summons,  and  seating  them- 
selves in  a  circle  round  the  viands,  which  were  spread  under 
the  tree,  crossed  their  legs,  after  the  Mahometan  custom,  and 
made  a  furious  attack  upon  the  provender. 

Macallan,  to  secure  his  newly-acquired  treasure,  hung  the 
chatty,  by  its  string,  upon  one  of  the  long  thorns  of  the  acacia, 
and  then  took  his  seat  with  the  rest.  Ample  justice  having 
been  done  to  what  had  been  placed  before  them,  mirth  and 
good-humour  prevailed.  Courtenay  had  just  persuaded  the 
grave  old  deputy  to  break  through  the  precepts  of  his  religion 
and  partake  of  the  forbidden  cup,  in  the  shape  of  a  tumbler  of 
305  V 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Madeira,  when  the  chatty,  which  the  doctor  had  suspended 
aloft,  by  the  constant  waving  of  the  tree  to  the  wind,  worked 
off  the  thorn,  and  falling  down  in  the  very  centre  of  the  circle, 
smashed  into  atoms,  and  the  cobra  di  capella  met  their  gaze, 
reared  upon  the  very  tip  of  his  tail,  his  hood  expanded  to  the 
utmost  in  his  wrath,  hissing  horribly,  and  darting  out  his  forked 
tongue — wavering,  among  the  many,  upon  whom  first  to  dart. 

Never  was  a  convivial  party  so  suddenly  dispersed.  For 
one,  and  but  one,  moment  they  were  all  paralysed ;  no  one 
attempted  to  get  up  and  run  away — then,  as  if  by  a  simul- 
taneous thought,  they  all  threw  themselves  back,  tossing 
their  heels  over  their  heads,  and  continuing  their  eccentric 
career.  Mussulmen  and  Europeans  all  tumbled  backwards, 
heels  over  heads,  down  the  descent,  diverging  in  every  point 
of  the  compass,  until  they  reached  their  respective  situations 
at  the  bottom  of  the  mount,  while  the  cobra  di  capella  still 
remained  in  his  menacing  attitude,  as  if  satisfied  with  the 
universal  homage  paid  to  his  dreadful  powers. 

They  all  recovered  their  legs  (as  they  had  gained  the 
bottom  of  the  hill)  about  the  same  time.  Courtenay  and 
Seymour,  now  that  the  danger  was  over,  were  convulsed  with 
laughter —Macallan  in  amazement  —  Prose,  with  his  eyes 
starting  out  of  his  head,  uttering  his  usual  "  I  do  declare  "- 
the  deputy  as  grave  as  ever — and  the  remainder,  fortunately, 
more  frightened  than  they  were  hurt. 

One  of  the  native  servants  put  an  end  to  the  scene  by 
reascending  the  hill  with  a  long  bamboo,  with  which  he 
struck  the  animal  to  the  ground,  and  subsequently  despatched 
him.  By  this  time  all  had  recovered  from  their  alarm,  and 
in  a  few  minutes  their  seats  were  resumed.  The  doctor,  who 
was  vexed  at  the  loss  of  his  snake,  commenced  an  examina- 
tion of  the  body,  and  was  still  more  mortified  to  find  that  the 
wily  Hindoo  had  deceived  him,  the  venomous  fangs  having 
been  already  extracted. 

"  It  is  positively  a  fact,"  observed  he  to  Courtenay,  in  ill- 
humour,  "he  has  cheated  me." 

"  A  most  curious  fact,"  replied  Courtenay,  shrugging  up  his 
shoulders,  and  lowering  the  corners  of  his  mouth.  "  Now, 
Macallan,  what's  the  use  of  your  memoranda  about  time  of 
biting,  appearance  of  patient,  &c.  ?  Allow,  for  once,  that 
there  are  some  things  which  are  '  excessively  annoying,' " 
306 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

The  party  soon  after  remounted,  and  proceeded  to  the 

town.     The  next  morning  they  repaired  on  board,  and  the 

queen  having,  at  last,  concocted   the  letter  of  thanks,  the 
Aspasia  weighed  and  proceeded  to  Bombay. 


CHAPTER  XLV 

An  you  like  a  ready  knave,  here  is  one  of  most  approved  convenience  : 
he  will  cheat  you,  moreover,  to  your  heart's  content.  If  you  believe  me 
not,  try  him.— The  Colony,  1635. 

_L  HE  Aspasia  continued  her  passage  with  light  but  favour- 
able winds.  As  the  ship  made  but  little  progress,  Captain 

M stood  into  Goa  Bay,  as  he  passed  by  that  relic  of 

former  grandeur  and  prosperity — alas  !  like  the  people  who 
raised  it,  how  fallen  from  its  "high  estate."  The  town  still 
covers  the  same  vast  extent  of  ground ;  the  churches  still 
rear  their  heads  above  the  other  buildings  in  their  beautiful 
proportions ;  the  Palace  of  the  Inquisition  still  lours  upon 
you  in  its  fanatical  gloom  and  massive  iron  bars.  But  where 
is  the  wealth,  the  genius,  the  enterprise,  the  courage,  and 
religious  enthusiasm  which  raised  these  majestic  piles  ?  A 
scanty  population  of  mixed  Hindoo  and  Portuguese  blood,  or 
of  half-converted  Indians,  are  the  sole  occupiers  of  this  once 
splendid  city  of  the  East.  Read  the  history  of  the  Moors 
when  in  Spain,  their  chivalry  and  their  courage,  their  learn- 
ing and  advancement  in  the  arts — and  now  view  their  de- 
graded posterity  on  the  African  coast.  Reflect  upon  the 
energy  and  perseverance  of  the  Spaniards  at  the  time  when 
they  drove  out  those  conquerors  of  their  country  after  a 
struggle  of  so  many  years,  their  subsequent  discovery  and 
possession  of  a  western  world— and  behold  them  now.  Turn 
to  the  Portuguese,  who,  setting  an  example  of  perseverance 
and  activity  to  the  nations  of  Europe,  in  vessels  in  which  we 
should  now  think  it  almost  insanity  to  make  the  attempt, 
forced  their  passage  round  the  Stormy  Cape,  undeterred  by 
disasters  or  by  death,  and  grasped  the  empire  of  the  East — 
what  are  they  in  the  scale  of  nations  now  ? 

How  rapid  these   transitions !     Two  hundred  years  have 
scarcely  rolled  away — other  nations,  with  the  fabrics  they  have 
307 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

raised,  have  been  precipitated  to  the  dust ;  but  they  have 
departed,  full  of  years,  and  men  and  things  have  run  their 
race  together.  But  here,  the  last  in  all  their  splendour, 
while  the  energies  of  the  former  have  decayed,  remain ;  and 
where  have  we  a  more  melancholy  picture  of  humanity,  either 
in  an  individual  or  in  a  nation,  than  when  we  survey  the  body 
that  has  outlived  the  mind  ? 

Since  the  world  began,  history  is  but  the  narrative  of  king- 
doms and  states  progressing  to  maturity  or  decay.  Man  him- 
self is  but  an  epitome  of  the  nations  of  men.  In  youth,  all 
energy ;  in  prime  of  life,  all  enterprise  and  vigour  ;  in  senility, 
all  weakness  and  second  childhood.  Then,  England,  learn 
thy  fate  from  the  unerring  page  of  time.  Sooner  or  later,  it 
shall  arrive  that  thou  shalt  be  tributary  to  some  nation 
hitherto,  I  trust,  unborn ;  and  thy  degenerate  sons  shall 
read  that  liberty  was  once  the  watchword  of  the  isle,  and 
yet  not  even  feel  a  longing  to  be  free. 

As  the  Aspasia  lay  nearly  becalmed  at  the  entrance  of  the 
harbour,  a  small  boat,  rowed  by  two  men,  pulled  towards  her, 
and  the  occupant  of  the  stern-sheets,  as  he  came  alongside, 
stated  in  bad  English  that  he  brought  "present  for  captain," 
and  was  allowed  to  come  up  the  side  by  the  first  lieutenant, 
who  was  on  deck.  He  was  a  native  friar,  and  disgusting  as 
the  dress  is  when  worn  by  an  European  in  a  northern  clime, 
it  appeared  still  more  so  enveloping  a  black  under  the  torrid 
zone.  He  carried  a  little  covered  basket  in  his  hand,  and 
stated  that  he  had  been  sent  by  the  superior  of  the  convent, 
which  he  pointed  to,  on  the  headland  at  the  mouth  of  the 
harbour.  The  first  lieutenant  went  down  into  the  cabin  and 
reported  to  the  captain. 

"  A  present !  "  observed  Captain  M ;  "  I  hope  it  is 

not  a  monkey — '  Timeo  Danaos  et  dona  ferentes.'  " 

The  first  lieutenant,  who  had  forgotten  his  Latin,  made  no 
answer,  but  returned  on  deck,  where  he  was  shortly  after 
followed  by  Captain  M 

The  sable  votary  of  St.  Francis  made  his  bow,  and  opening 
the  lid  of  his  basket,  pulled  out  a  cabbage  with  a  long  stal : 
and  four  or  five  nagging  leaves,  but  no  heart  to  it.  "  Superior 
send  present  to  Inglez  capitown."  And  having  laid  it  care- 
fully on  the  carronade  slide,  fumbled  in  his  pocket  for  some 
time,  and  eventuallv  produced  a  dirty  sheet  of  paper,  on 
308 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

which,  written  in  execrable  English,  was  a  petition  to  assist 
the  wants  of  the  convent. 

"  I  expected  as  much,"  observed  Captain  M ,  smiling, 

as  he  ran  over  the  ridiculous  wording  of  the  petition. 
"  Desire  the  purser's  steward  to  get  up  a  bag  of  biscuit, 
and  put  into  the  boat." 

The  bread  was  handed  on  the  gangway,  when  the  friar, 
observing  it,  went  up  to  the  captain,  and  said,  "  Superior  like 
rum,  sar ;  suppose  you  no  rum,  teng  like  money." 

"  Perhaps  he  may,"  replied   Captain  M ;    "  but  it  is 

against  my  rules  to  give  the  first,  and  if  I  recollect  right, 
against  those  of  your  order  to  receive  the  second." 

Finding  that  nothing  more  was  to  be  obtained,  the  friar 
was  about  to  depart,  when  perceiving  the  cabbage  lying  un- 
noticed where  he  had  deposited  it,  he  observed,  "  Capitown, 
11011  quer  cabbage — not  want  ?  " 

"Not  particularly,"   replied   Captain   M ,  surveying  it 

with  rather  a  contemptuous  smile. 

"Then  take  it  ashore,  plant  it  again — do  for  'nother  ship  ;" 
and  he  replaced  the  present  in  his  basket,  made  his  bow, 
and  departed. 

Reader,'  cabbages  are  scarce  articles  in  India.  I  have  seen 
them  at  Pondicherry,  growing  in  flower-pots,  as  curious  exotics. 

Two  days  afterwards  the  Aspasia  came  to  an  anchor  at 
Bombay,  and  having  saluted  the  admiral,  Captain  M — 
went  on  shore  to  pay  his  respects  in  person.  The  ship  was 
soon  crowded  with  a  variety  of  people,  who  came  off  to  solicit 
the  washing,  &c.,  of  the  officers.  The  gun-room  officers  had 
just  finished  their  dinner,  and  the  cloth  had  been  removed, 
when  our  friend  Billy  Pitts  entered,  introducing  a  slim 
personage,  attired  in  a  robe  of  spotless  white,  with  the  dark 
turban  peculiar  to  the  Parsees,  and  bringing  in  his  hand  a 
small  basket  of  fruit. 

"  Massa  Courtenay,  here  mulatta  fellow  want  to  speak  to 
officers.  Call  himself  Dubash  —  look  in  dictionary,  and  no 
such  word  in  English  language." 

"  It  means  a  washerman,  I  suppose,"  observed  Price. 

"  No,  sir,"  answered  the  man  for  himself,  with  a  graceful 
bow,  "  not  a  washerman,  but  at  same  time  get  all  your  clothes 
washed.    Dubash  go  to  market,  supply  gentlemen  with  every- 
thing they  want — run  everywhere  for  them — bring  off  meal 
309 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

and  fish,  and  everything  else — everybody  have  dubash  here 
— I  dubash  to  all  the  ships  come  here — got  very  good  cer- 
tificate, sir/'  continued  the  Parsee,  drawing  a  thin  book  from 
his  vest,  and  presenting  it  to  Courtenay  with  a  low  bow. 

"Well,  Mr.  Dubash,  let  us  see  what  your  character  may 
be,"  said  Courtenay,  opening  the  book. 

"  Yes,  sir,  you  please  to  read  them,  and  I  go  speak  to  young 
gentlemen  before  other  dubash  come  on  board ;  I  bring  gentle- 
men little  fruit,"  and  laying  the  basket  respectfully  on  the 
table,  with  another  low  salaam  the  man  quitted  the  gun-room. 

Courtenay  read  for  a  minute,  and  then  burst  into  a  fit  of 
laughter.  "Very  good  certificates,  indeed/'  observed  he; 
"only  hear — 

"1st. — 'This  is  to  certify  that  Hommajee  Baba  served  the 
gun-room  mess  of  his  Majesty's  ship  Flora,  and  cheated  us 
most  damnably. 

(Signed)  "<  PETER  HICKS,  1st  Lieut. 

"' JONAS  SMITH,  Purser.' 

"  2nd. — '  Hommajee  Baba  served  me  as  dubash  during  my 
stay  in  this  port.  He  is  a  useful  fellow,  but  a  great  scoundrel. 
I  gave  him  one  half  of  his  bill,  and  he  was  perfectly  satisfied. 
I  recommend  others  to  do  the  same. 

(Signed)         " '  ANDREW  THOMPSON, 

Company's  ship  Clio.' 

"  3rd. — '  I  perfectly  agree  with  the  above  remarks ;  but  as 
all  the  other  dubashes  are  as  great  thieves,  and  not  half  so 
intelligent,  I  conscientiously  recommend  Hommajee  Baba. 

(Signed)         " '  PETER  PHILLIPS, 
Captain  Honbl.  Company's  cruiser  Vestal.' 

"4th.— <  Of  all  the  scoundrels  that  I  ever  had  to  deal  with 
in  this  most  rascally  quarter  of  a  most  knavish  world,  Hom- 
majee Baba  is  the  greatest.  Never  give  him  any  money,  as 
he  will  find  it ;  but  when  you  go  away,  pay  him  one-third  of 
his  bill,  and  you  will  still  have  paid  him  too  much. 

(Signed)         "  '  BILLY  HELFLAME, 

Captain  H.M.S.  Spitfire.'  " 

About  a  dozen  pages  of  the  book  were  filled  with  certifi- 
cates to  the  above  effect,  which  the  dubash,  although  he 
310 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

spoke  English  fluently,  not  being  able  to  read,  considered,  as 
he  had  been  informed  at  the  time,  to  be  decidedly  in  his 
favour.  They  were  so  far  valuable,  that  they  put  new-comers 
upon  their  guard,  and  prevented  much  extortion  on  the  part 
of  the  said  Hommajee. 

When  the  laughter  had  to  a  degree  subsided,  Billy  Pitts 
was  the  first  to  exclaim,  "  D — n  black  villain — I  think  so, 
when  he  come  to  me  ;  not  like  cut  of  um  jib — 

" '  Who  steals  my  purse,  steals  trash,'  "  spouted  Price. 

"'Cause  you  never  have  money,  Mr.  Price,"  cried  Billy, 
interrupting  him. 

"  Silence,  sir — '  But  he  who  filches  from  me  my  good  name, 
robs  me  of  that — of  that — 

"  Rob  you  of  what,  sar  ?  " 

"  Silence,  sir,"  again  cried  Price — " c  robs  me  of  that ' — what 
is  it  ?— that  d— d  black  thief  has  put  it  out  of  my  head — 

"  I  not  the  thief,  sar — Massa  Price,  you  always  forget  end 
of  your  story." 

"I'll  make  an  end  of  you  directly,  sir,  if  you're  not  off." 

"No!  don't  kill  Billy,"  observed  Courtenay;  "it's  bad 
enough  to  have  murdered  Shakspeare.  Well,  but  now,  it's 
my  opinion  that  we  ought  to  employ  this  fellow,  and  take 
the  advice  that  has  been  given  to  us  in  this  book." 

Courtenay's  proposal  was  assented  to,  and  on  his  return 
Hommajee  Baba  was  installed  in  office. 

The  next  morning,  Seymour,  Courtenay,  and  Macallan  went 
on  shore  to  meet  an  old  acquaintance  of  the  latter,  who  had 
called  upon  him  on  his  arrival.  By  his  advice  they  left  the 
ship  before  the  sun  had  risen,  that  they  might  be  enabled  to 
walk  about,  and  view  the  town  and  its  environs,  without 
being  incommoded  by  the  heat.  They  reached  the  long 
plain  close  to  the  sea,  upon  which  the  admiral  and  many 
others,  according  to  the  custom  of  the  English  inhabitants, 
were  residing  in  capacious  tents  ;  not  such  tents  as  have  been 
seen  in  England,  but  impervious  to  the  heat  and  rain,  covering 
a  large  extent  of  ground,  divided  into  several  apartments,  and 
furnished  like  any  other  residence.  The  broad  expanse  of 
ocean  which  met  their  view  was  unruffled,  and  the  beach 
was  lined  with  hundreds,  standing  on  their  carpets  spread 
upon  the  sand,  with  their  faces  turned  towards  the  east.  As 
the  sun  rose  in  splendour  above  the  horizon,  they  all  pros- 
311 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

trated  themselves  in  mute  adoration,  and  continued  in  that 
position  until  his  disc  had  cleared  the  water's  edge ;  they 
then  rose,  and  throwing  a  few  flowers  into  the  rippling  wave, 
folded  up  their  carpets  and  departed. 

"  Who  are  those  people,  and  of  what  religion  ?  "  demanded 
Seymour. 

"  They  are  Parsees,  a  remnant  of  the  ancient  Persians — the 
Guebres,  or  worshippers  of  fire.  As  you  have  witnessed,  they 
also  adore  the  sun.  They  came  here  long  since  to  enjoy  their 
tenets,  free  from  persecution.  They  are  the  most  intelligent 
race  that  we  have.  Many  of  them  were  princes  in  their  own 
country,  and  are  now  men  of  unbounded  wealth.  They  have 
their  temples  here,  in  which  the  sacred  fire  is  never  permitted 
to  go  out.  If  by  any  chance  or  negligence  it  should  become 
extinct,  it  must  be  relighted  from  heaven  alone.  We  have 
no  lightning  here,  and  they  send  to  Calcutta,  where  there  is 
plenty  at  the  change  of  the  monsoon,  and  bring  it  round  with 
great  ceremony." 

"  In  other  points,  are  their  customs  different  from  the 
Hindoos  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  their  women  are  not  so  immured ;  you  will  meet 
plenty  of  them  when  you  return  to  town.  They  are  easily 
distinguished  by  their  fair  complexions,  and  the  large  thin 
gold  rings,  with  three  or  four  pearls  strung  upon  them,  worn 
in  a  hole  perforated  through  the  nostril,  and  hanging  below 
their  mouths." 

"  And  what  are  those  immense  towers  on  the  other  side  of 
the  bay  ?  " 

"  They  were  built  by  the  Parsees,  as  depositories  for  the 
dead ;  on  the  summit  is  a  wide  iron  grating,  upon  which  the 
bodies  are  laid  to  be  devoured  by  the  birds  of  prey ;  when 
stripped,  the  bones  fall  through  the  iron  bars  into  the  recep- 
tacle below.  They  never  bury  their  dead.  But  breakfast 
must  be  ready,  so  we  had  better  return.  You  have  much  to 
see  here.  The  caves  of  Elephanta  and  Canara  are  well  worthy 
of  your  attention,  and  I  shall  be  happy  to  attend  you  when 
you  feel  inclined  to  pay  a  visit  to  them." 

They  did  not  fail  to  profit  by  the  offer,  and  before  the  week 
had  passed  away  they  had  witnessed  those  splendid  monu- 
ments of  superstition  and  idolatry.  The  Aspasia  received  her 
orders,  and  Hommajee  Baba,  being  paid  the  due  proportion 
312 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

of  his  bill,  received  his  certificate  from  Courtenay  in  the  usual 
form,  and  so  far  from  being  affronted,  requested  the  honour 
of  being  again  employed  in  their  services  if  ever  they  should 
return  to  Bombay. 


CHAPTER  XLVI 

These  are  not  foes 

With  whom  it  would  be  safe  to  strive  in  honour. 
They  will  repay  your  magnanimity, 
Assassin-like,  with  secret  stabs. 

ANON. 

JL  HE  strength  of  the  monsoon  had  blown  over,  and  Captain 

M ,  in  pursuance  of  his  orders,  beat  across  the  Bay  of 

Bengal  for  the  Straits  of  Sumatra,  where  he  expected  to  fall  in 
with  some  of  the  enemy's  privateers,  who  obtained  their  sup- 
plies of  water  in  that  direction.  After  cruising  for  six  weeks 
without  success,  they  fell  in  with  an  armed  English  vessel,  who 
informed  them  that  she  had  been  chased  by  a  large  pirate 
proa,  and  had  narrowly  escaped — acquainting  Captain  M — 
with  the  islet  from  which  she  had  sallied  out  in  pursuit  of 
them,  and  to  which  she  had  in  all  probability  returned. 

Captain  M ,  naturally  anxious  to  scour  the  seas  of  these 

cruel  marauders,  who  showed  no  quarter  to  those  who  had  the 
misfortune  to  fall  into  their  hands,  determined  to  proceed  in 
quest  of  this  vessel ;  and  after  a  week's  unsuccessful  reconnoitre 
of  the  various  islets  which  cover  the  seas  in  that  quarter,  one 
morning  discovered  her  from  the  masthead  on  his  weather 
beam,  sailing  and  rowing  down  towards  the  frigate  to  ascertain 
whether  she  was  a  vessel  that  she  might  venture  to  attack. 

The  Aspasia  was  disguised  as  much  as  possible,  and  the 
pirates  were  induced  to  approach  within  a  distance  of  two 
miles,  when,  perceiving  their  mistake,  they  lowered  their 
sails,  and  turning  the  head  of  their  vessel  in  the  opposite 
direction,  pulled  away  from  the  frigate  right  in  the  wind's 
eye.  The  breeze  freshened,  and  all  possible  sail  was  crowded 
on  the  Aspasia  to  overtake  them,  and  although  at  the  close 
of  the  day  they  had  not  neared  her  much,  the  bright  moon 
enabled  them  to  keep  the  vessel  in  view  during  the  night. 
313 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Early  in  the  morning  (the  crew  being  probably  exhausted 
from  their  incessant  labour)  she  kept  away  for  some  islets 
broad  upon  the  Aspasias  weather  bow,  and  came  to  an  anchor 
in  a  small  cove  between  the  rocks,  which  sheltered  her  from 
the  guns  of  the  frigate. 

Captain  M considered  it  his  duty  at  all  risks  to  destroy 

the  proa ;  and  hoisting  out  the  boats,  he  gave  the  command 
to  his  first  lieutenant,  with  strict  injunctions  how  to  deal  with 
such  treacherous  and  ferocious  enemies.  The  launch  was 
under  repair  at  the  time,  and  could  not  be  employed ;  but 
the  barge,  pinnace,  and  two  cutters  were  considered  fully 
adequate  to  the  service.  Courtenay  was  second  in  command, 
in  the  pinnace  ;  Seymour  had  charge  of  one  cutter ;  and  at  his 
own  particular  request,  Prose  was  entrusted  with  the  other. 

"  I  do  declare,  I  think  that  I  should  like  to  go,"  observed 
Prose,  when  he  first  heard  that  the  vessel  was  to  be  cut  out. 

"Why,  you  ought,  Prose,"  replied  Seymour;  "you  have 
never  been  on  service  yet." 

"  No ;  and  you  and  I  are  the  only  two  passed  midshipmen 
in  the  ship."  (Seymour  and  Prose  had  both  passed  their 
examination  when  the  Aspasia  was  at  Bombay.)  "  I  think 
that  I  have  a  right  to  one  of  the  boats." 

So  thought  the  first  lieutenant  when  he  made  his  applica- 
tion, and  he  obtained  the  command  accordingly. 

The  boats  shoved  off  as  soon  as  the  men  had  swallowed 
their  breakfasts,  and  in  less  than  an  hour  were  but  a  short 
distance  from  the  proa,  which  proved  to  be  one  of  the  largest 
size.  A  discharge  of  langrage  from  one  of  the  two  long  brass 
guns  mounted  on  her  prow  flew  amongst  the  boats,  without 
taking  effect.  A  second  discharge  was  more  destructive, 
three  of  the  men  in  the  boat  which  Prose  commanded  being 
struck  down  bleeding  under  the  thwarts,  the  oars,  which  they 
had  not  relinquished  their  hold  of  when  they  fell,  being 
thrown  high  up  in  air. 

"  Halloa  !  I  say — all  catching  crabs  together  !  "  cried  Prose. 

"Caught  something  worse  than  a  crab,  sir,"  replied  the 
coxswain.  "  Wilson,  are  you  much  hurt  ?  " 

"  The  rascals  have  let  daylight  in,  I'm  afraid,"  answered 
the  man  faintly. 

"  Well,  I  do  declare  I'd  no  idea  the  poor  fellows  were 
wounded.  Coxswain,  take  one  of  the  oars,  and  I'll  steer  the 
314 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

boat,  or  we  shall  never  get  alongside.  I  say,  Mr.  Jolly,  can't 
you  pull  ?  " 

"Yes,  sir,  upon  a  pinch,"  answered  the  marine  whom  he 
addressed,  laying  his  musket  on  the  stern-sheets,  and  taking 
one  of  the  unmanned  oars. 

"  Well,  there  now,  give  way." 

But  the  delay  occasioned  by  this  mishap  had  left  the  cutter 
far  astern  of  the  other  boats,  who,  paying  no  attention  to  her, 
had  pulled  alongside  and  boarded  the  vessel.  The  conflict 
was  short,  from  the  superior  numbers  of  the  English  and  the 
little  difficulty  in  getting  on  board  of  a  vessel  with  so  low 
a  gunwale.  By  the  time  that  Prose  came  alongside  in  the 
cutter,  the  pirates  were  either  killed  or  had  been  driven  below. 
Prose  jumped  on  the  gunwale,  flourishing  his  cutlass — from 
the  gunwale  he  sprung  on  the  deck,  which  was  not  composed 
of  planks,  as  in  vessels  in  general,  but  of  long  bamboos, 
running  fore  and  aft,  and  lashed  together  with  rattans ;  and 
as  Prose  descended  upon  the  rounded  surface,  which  happened 
where  he  alighted  to  be  slippery  with  blood,  his  feet  were 
thrown  up,  and  he  came  down  on  the  deck  in  a  sitting  posture. 

"Capital  jump,  Mr.  Prose,"  cried  Cxmrteiiay;  "but  you 
have  arrived  too  late  to  shed  your  blood  in  your  country's 
cause — very7  annoying,  an't  it  ?  " 

"  O  Lord  ! — O  Lord  ! — I  do  declare — oh — oh — oh  !  "  roared 
Prose,  attempting  to  recover  his  feet,  and  then  falling  down 
again. 

"  Good  heavens,  what's  the  matter,  Prose  ?  "  cried  Seymour, 
running  to  his  assistance. 

"  O  Lord  ! — O  Lord  ! — another  ! — oh  !  "  again  cried  Prose, 
making  a  half-spring  from  the  deck,  from  which  he  was  now 
raised  by  Seymour,  who  again  inquired  what  was  the  matter. 
Prose  could  not  speak — he  pointed  his  hand  behind  him,  and 
his  head  fell  upon  Seymour's  shoulder. 

"  He's  wounded,  sir,"  observed  one  of  the  men  who  had 
joined  Seymour,  pointing  to  the  blood  which  ran  from  the 
trousers  of  Prose  in  a  little  rivulet.  "  Be  quick,  Mr.  Seymour, 
and  get  on  the  gunwale,  or  they'll  have  you  too."  The  fact 
was,  that  the  deck  being  composed  of  bamboos,  as  already 
described,  one  of  the  pirates  below  had  passed  his  creese 
through  the  spaces  between  them  into  Prose's  body  when 
he  came  down  on  deck  in  a  sitting  posture,  and  had  repeated 
315 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  blow  when  he  failed  to  recover  his  feet  after  the  first 
wound. 

One  of  the  seamen  who  had  not  provided  himself  with 
shoes  now  received  a  severe  wound  ;  and  after  Prose  had  been 
handed  into  one  of  the  boats,  a  consultation  was  held  as  to  the 
most  eligible  method  of  proceeding. 

It  was  soon  decided  that  it  would  be  the  extreme  of  folly  to 
attack  such  desperate  people  below,  where  they  would  have  a 
great  advantage  with  their  creeses  over  the  cutlasses  of  the  sea- 
men; and  as  there  appeared  no  chance  of  inducing  them  to  come 
up,  it  was  determined  to  cut  the  cables  and  tow  the  vessel 
alongside  of  the  frigate,  who  could  sink  her  with  a  broadside. 

The  cables  were  cut,  and  a  few  men  being  left  on  board  to 
guard  the  hatchways,  the  boats  commenced  towing  out ;  but 
scarcely  had  they  got  way  on  her  when,  to  their  astonishment, 
a  thick  smoke  was  followed  by  the  flames  bursting  Out  in  every 
direction,  consuming  all  on  board  with  a  rapidity  that  seemed 
incredible.  From  the  deck  the  fire  mounted  to  the  rigging, 
thence  to  the  masts  and  sails ;  and  before  the  boats  could  be 
backed  astern  to  take  them  out,  those  who  had  been  left  were 
forced  to  leap  into  the  sea  to  save  themselves  from  the  devour- 
ing element  The  pirates  had  themselves  set  fire  to  the  vessel. 
Most  of  them  remained  below,  submitting  to  suffocation  with 
sullen  indifference.  Some  few,  in  the  agony  of  combustion, 
were  perceived  through  the  smoke  to  leap  overboard,  and 
seek  in  preference  a  less  painful  death.  The  boats  laid  upon 
their  oars,  and  witnessed  the  scene  in  silence  and  astonishment. 

"  Desperate  and  determined  to  the  last,"  observed  the  first 
lieutenant. 

In  a  very  few  minutes  the  proa,  whose  fabric  was  of  the 
slightest  materials,  filled  and  went  down.  The  last  column  of 
smoke,  divided  from  her  by  the  water,  ascended  in  the  air  as 
she  sank  down  below,  and  nought  remained  but  a  few  burnt 
fragments  of  bamboo,  which  lay  floating  on  the  wave.  A  few 
seconds  after  the  vessel  had  disappeared  one  of  the  pirates 
rose  to  the  surface. 

"  There  is  a  man  alive  yet,"  observed  Courtenay.  "  Let  us 
save  him  if  we  can." 

The  boat,  by  his  directions,  pulled  a  few  strokes  of  the  oars, 
and  having  rather  too  much  way,  shot  ahead,  so  as  to  bring  the 
man  close  to  the  counter  of  the  boat.  Courtenay  leaned  over 
316 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  gunwale  to  haul  him  in  ;  the  malignant  wretch  grasped  him 
by  the  collar  with  his  left  hand,  and  with  his  right  darted  his 
creese  into  Courtenay's  breast ;  then,  as  if  satisfied,  with  an 
air  of  mingled  defiance  and  derision,  immediately  sank  under 
the  bottom  of  the  pinnace,  and  was  seen  no  more. 

"  Ungrateful  viper  '  "  murmured  Courtenay,  as  he  fell  into 
the  arms  of  his  men. 

The  boats  hastened  back  to  the  frigate.  They  had  but 
few  men  hurt,  except  those  mentioned  in  our  narrative  ;  but 
the  wounds  of  Courlen;iy  and  of  Prose  were  dangerous.  The 
creeses  of  the  pirates  had  been  steeped  in  the  juice  of  the  pine- 
apple, which,  when  fresh  applied,  is  considered  as  a  deadly 
poison.  The  Axpasia  soon  afterwards  anchored  in  Madras 
Roads,  and  a  removal  to  a  more  invigorating  clime  was  pro- 
nounced essential  to  the  recovery  of  the  two  officers  Cour- 
tenay and  Prose  were  invalided  and  sent  home  in  an  East 
Indiaman,  but  it  was  many  months  before  they  were  in  a  state 

of  convalescence.  Captain  M gave  an  acting  order  as 

lieutenant  to  Seymour,  and  when  he  joined  the  admiral, 
expressed  himself  so  warmly  in  his  behalf,  that  it  was  not 
superseded ;  and  our  hero  now  walked  the  quarter-deck  as 
third  lieutenant  of  H.M.'s  ship  Aspasia. 

If  the  reader  is  not  by  this  time  tired  of  India,  I  am.  To 
narrate  all  that  occurred  would  far  exceed  the  limits  of  this 
work.  I  shall  therefore  confine  myself  to  stating  that,  after 

three  years,  Captain  M quitted  the  country,  having  during 

his  stay  gained  much  in  reputation,  but  lost  more  in  constitu- 
tion. When  we  return  to  the  frigate,  she  will  be  well  advanced 
on  her  passage  home. 


CHAPTER  XL VII 

When  souls  which  should  agree  to  will  the  same- 
To  have  one  common  object  for  their  wishes, 
Look  diff'rent  ways,  regardless  of  each  other, 
Think  what  a  train  of  wretchedness  ensnee ! 

ROWE. 

DUT  we  must  return  to  England,  ur  we  shall  lose  sight  of 
the  Rainscourt  family,  in  which  much  that  is  interesting  hay 
occurred  since  our  hero's  absence  in  the  East 
317 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Mr.  Rainscourt  made  occasional  visits  to  the  Hall  with  the 
hope  of  inducing  his  wife  to  break  through  her  resolution,  and 
once  more  to  reside  with  him  under  the  same  roof;  but  in  this 
he  could  not  succeed  ;  for  although  Mrs.  Rainscourt  received 
him  with  kindness  and  urbanity,  she  was  too  well  aware,  by 
information  received  from  many  quarters,  of  the  life  of  excess 
which  he  indulged  in,  ever  again  to  trust  her  happiness  in  his 
keeping.  Nevertheless,  pursuing  his  point  with  an  obstinacy 
that  seemed  surprising,  Rainscourt  always  was  to  be  found  at 
the  watering-place  to  which  Mrs.  Rainscourt  might  remove  for 
change  of  scene  ;  and  for  nearly  five  years  from  the  time  when 
he  first  paid  a  visit  to  his  once  neglected  wife,  did  he  continue 
to  press  his  suit.  The  fact  was,  that  so  far  from  tiring,  his 
anxiety  to  effect  the  reunion  was  constantly  on  the  increase, 
from  the  general  admiration  which  was  bestowed  upon  Emily 
when  she  made  her  appearance  in  public  ;  and  Rainscourt  felt 
that  his  house  would  be  more  resorted  to,  and  his  company  be 
more  courted,  if  he  could  have  under  his  immediate  protection 
one  who  had  beauty  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  most  fastidious, 
and  a  certainty  of  ultimate  wealth  exceeding  the  views  of  the 
most  interested. 

It  was  two  years  or  more  after  the  departure  of  Seymour, 
that  Mrs.  Rainscourt  and  Emily  determined  upon  passing 
the  autumnal  months  at  Cheltenham,  accompanied  by  the 
M'Elvinas.  A  few  days  after  their  arrival,  Mr.  Rainscourt 
made  his  appearance.  He  was  now  determined,  if  possible, 
to  bring  his  suit  to  an  issue.  Some  months  back  he  had 
formed  the  plan  which  he  thought  most  likely  to  succeed. 
This  was  to  repair  and  refurnish  the  castle  in  Galway,  and 
persuade  Mrs.  Rainscourt  to  pass  a  few  weeks  there,  when  he 
hoped  that,  having  her  in  a  more  isolated  position,  she  might 
be  induced  to  accede  to  his  wishes.  Workmen  had  been  em- 
ployed for  some  time  repairing  the  exterior  of  the  ancient  pile  ; 
the  interior  had  been  embellished  under  the  guidance  of  a 
man  of  taste,  and  without  any  regard  to  expense.  Splendid 
furniture  had  already  been  forwarded  from  London ;  so  that 
Mr.  Rainscourt's  agent  had  written  to  him  that  in  a  few  weeks 
the  castle  would  be  ready  for  his  reception. 

Upon  his  arrival  at  Cheltenham,  Mr.  Rainscourt  astonished 
everybody  by  his  splendid  equipage.  His  carriages,  his  stud, 
and  the  whole  of  his  establishment  were  quite  unique.  On 
318 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  other  hand,  Mrs.  Rainscourt  and  her  daughter  were  equally 
objects  of  curiosity,  not  likely  to  pass  unnoticed  in  such  a  place 
as  Cheltenham,  where  people  have  nothing  else  to  do  but  talk 
«candal  and  to  drink  salt  water  as  a  punishment. 

The  arrival  of  a  pretty  heiress  increased  very  much  the  flow 
of  bile  in  the  young  ladies,  and  in  their  mammas,  who  did  not 
bring  them  to  Cheltenham  merely  to  drink  the  waters.  The 
gentlemen,  moreover,  did  not  admire  being  so  totally  eclipsed 
by  Mr.  Rainscourt,  who  rendered  insignificant  what,  previous 
to  his  appearance,  had  been  considered  "to  be  quite  the 
thing."  The  ladies  would  talk  of  nothing  but  Mr.  Rainscourt 
and  his  equipage — and  such  a  handsome  man,  too.  But  on 
the  whole,  the  females  were  the  most  annoyed,  as  there 
threatened  to  be  a  stagnation  in  the  market  until  this  said 
heiress  was  disposed  of.  Gentlemen  who  had  been  attentive 
more  than  a  week,  who  had  been  asked  twice  to  dinner,  and 
who  had  been  considered  to  have  nibbled  a  sufficient  time  to 
ensure  their  eventually  taking  the  bait,  had  darted  in  full 
liberty  in  the  direction  of  the  great  heiress.  Young  ladies  who 
were  acknowledged  to  have  the  most  attractions,  pecuniary  or 
personal,  who  simpered  and  smiled  to  twenty  young  philan- 
derers, as  they  took  their  morning  glass,  now  poured  down 
their  lukewarm  solution  in  indignant  solitude  if  Mrs.  Rains- 
court  and  her  daughter  made  their  appearance  on  the  pro- 
menade. Real  cases  of  bile  became  common ;  and  the  fair 
sex,  in  despair,  although  they  did  not,  as  they  were  evidently 
requested  by  the  conduct  of  the  gentlemen,  "to  a  nunnery 
go,"  to  preserve  their  complexions,  were  necessitated  to  repair 
to  the  pump. 

"  Don't  you  think  that  Miss  Rainscourt's  nose  is  rather  too 
straight  ?  "  asked  a  young  lady,  with  one  on  her  own  face  that 
had  a  strong  tendency  towards  the  pug 

"  Indeed,  I  do  not,"  replied  a  light-hearted  Irish  girl, 
"  although  she  has  put  ours  out  of  joint,  as  they  call  it.  I 
only  wish  I'd  her  face  or  her  fortune—  either  the  one  or  the 
other — and  I  wouldn't  be  coming  to  Cheltenham  after  a 
husband — the  gentlemen  should  trot  over  to  Ireland." 

"  How  very  odd  that  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Rainscourt  should  not 
live  together — such  good  friends  as  they  seem  to  be." 

' '  Oh,  I  know  the  reason  of  that ;  I  was  told  it  yester- 
day by  Lady  Wagtail.  It  was  a  runaway  match,  and  they 
319 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

happened  to  be  related  within  the  canonical  law — they  are  both 
Roman  Catholics — and  the  Pope  found  it  out,  and  ordered 
them  to  be  separated,  upon  pain  of  excommunication." 

"  Indeed !  " 

"  Yes,  and  Mr.  Rainscourt  is  waiting  for  a  licence  from  the 
Conclave — a  dispensation,  they  call  it.  They  say  it  is  expected 
from  Rome  next  post,  and  then  they  can  be  united  again 
immediately." 

"  What  beautiful  horses  Mr.  Rainscourt  drives  !  " 

"  Yes,  that  curricle,  with  the  greys  and  the  outriders,  is 
quite  superb.  He  always  drives  through  the  turnpike,  I 
observe." 

«  To  be  sure  he  does.  Why,  they  say  that  he  has  £40,000 
r  :.rear." 

And  the  whole  is  entailed  upon  his  daughter." 

'•  Every  farthing  of  it." 

"  And  who  are  those  M'Elvinas  ? — What  an  odd  name  ! " 

"  Oh,  I  can  tell  you.  Mrs.  Fitzpatrick  says  that  he  is  of  a 
very  ancient  Irish  family — they  are  very  rich.  Mr.  M'Elviria 
made  his  fortune  in  India  by  a  speculation  in  opium,  and  his 
wife  was  the  only  daughter  of  a  stockbroker  in  the  city,  who 
died  worth  a  plum." 

"No.  4 — a  little  warm,  if  you  please,  Mrs.  Bishop." 

"  Yes,  miss." 

About  a  fortnight  after  his  arrival,  Rainscourt  received  the 
intelligence  from  his  agent  that  everything  was  complete  at 
the  castle,  and  he  determined  to  go  over  himself  to  examine 
it  previous  to  communicating  his  interested  act  of  gallantry 
to  his  wife.  He  proposed  to  M'Elvina,  with  whom  he  was 
on  very  friendly  terms,  to  accompany  him,  and  M'Elvina  was 
decided  in  accepting  the  offer  in  consequence  of  Mr.  Rains- 
court's  having  informed  him  that  a  large  property,  contiguous 
to  his  own,  which  had  almost  from  time  immemorial  been  in 
possession  of  the  M'Elvina  family,  was  now  for  sale,  the  last 
possessor  having  gambled  the  whole  of  it  away. 

"  It  may  be  worth  your  while,"  continued  he,  "if  you  are 
inclined  to  possess  landed  property,  to  look  at  it;  as  my 
agent  informs  me  that  it  will  be  disposed  of  very  cheap,  and 
will  give  you  good  interest  for  your  money." 

M'Elvina  had  long  wished  to  live  in  Ireland,  from  which 
country  he  derived  his  descent,  and  he  could  not  but  feel 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

that  some  untoward  recognition  might  possibly  take  place  in 
such  a  place  of  numerous  resort  as  Cheltenham,  by  which 
some  of  the  passages  in  his  early  career  might  be  exposed. 
This  appeared  to  be  a  chance  which  might  not  again  present 
itself,  and  he  gladly  consented  to  accompany  Rainscourt  in 
his  excursion.  After  an  absence  of  three  weeks  they  returned. 
The  castle  had  been  fitted  out  in  a  style  of  lavish  expenditure 
and  taste,  and  Rainscourt  could  find  little  to  improve  or  add. 
The  property  which  M'Elvina  went  over  to  examine,  suited 
him  both  in  price  and  in  situation  ;  and  having  consulted 
his  wife,  who  cordially  acquiesced  in  his  view,  he  wrote 
to  Mr.  Rainscourt' s  agent,  requesting  him  to  conclude  the 
purchase. 

Rainscourt  now  determined  upon  making  his  last  effort  for 
a  resumption  of  marital  rights.  Having  introduced  the  con- 
versation by  stating  in  minute  detail  the  alterations  and  im- 
provements which  he  had  made  at  the  castle,  he  then  informed 
Mrs.  Rainscourt  that  he  had  been  to  that  expense  in  the  hope 
that  she  would  take  possession  of  it  for  the  remainder  of  the 
autumn. 

"If,"  said  he,  "you  knew  the  pleasure  it  would  give  me 
once  more  to  see  you  surrounded  with  every  luxury,  in  the 
place  where  we  formerly  resided  in  poverty — if  you  knew  the 
joy  which  your  presence  would  diffuse  among  your  affectionate 
tenants,  and  the  anxiety  with  which  they  are  expecting  your 
appearance— for  I  must  acknowledge  that  I  promised  them 
that  you  should  gladden  them  with  your  return — you  would 
not  refuse  the  request  I  have  made." 

But  Rainscourt  had  not  calculated  well.  If  there  was  any 
spot  of  which  the  reminiscences  were  peculiarly  painful  to 
his  wife,  it  was  the  castle  in  Galway.  It  was  there  that  she 
had  been  treated  with  severity  and  contempt — it  was  there  * 
that  she  had  been  cruelly  deserted  by  her  husband  when  he 
was  restored  to  affluence.  With  the  bitter  feelings  attendant 
upon  these  recollections,  Mrs.  Rainscourt  penetrated  into  the 
motives  which  had  induced  her  husband  to  act,  and  the  balance 
was  more  than  ever  against  his  cause.  "  If  you  have  fitted 
up  the  castle  to  oblige  me.  Mr.  Rainscourt,  I  return  you  my 
grateful  thanks  for  your  kindness  and  consideration ;  but  I 
do  not  think  that  I  could  enter  the  castle  with  pleasure ; 
there  are  so  many  more  painful  than  agreeable  remembrances 
321  x 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

connected  with  it,  that  I  had  rather  decline  going  there — the 
more  so  AS  I  consider  it  too  secluded  for  Emily." 

"But  not  too  secluded,  Mrs.  Rainscourt,"  replied  her  hus- 
band, dropping  on  one  knee,  "  for  me  to  beseech  pardon  for 
my  errors,  and  prove  the  sincerity  of  my  repentance.  Let  me 
conjure  you  to  allow  it  to  be  the  scene  of  the  renewal  of  my 
love  and  my  admiration,  as  it  unfortunately  was  of  my  folly 
and  indifference." 

"  Mr.  Rainscourt,  this  interview  must  be  decisive.  Know, 
once  for  all,  that  such  a  reconciliation  as  you  would  desire 
never  can  or  shall  take  place.  Spare  me  the  pain  of  recapitu- 
lation. It  is  enough  to  say  that,  once  thrown  from  you,  I 
cannot  nor  will  not  be  resumed  at  your  pleasure  and  fantasy. 
Although  injured  in  the  tenderest  point,  I  forgive  all  that  has 
passed,  and  shall  be  happy  to  receive  you  as  a  friend,  in  private 
as  well  as  in  public  ;  but  all  attempts  to  obtain  more  will  only 
meet  with  mortification  and  defeat.  Rise,  Mr.  Rainscourt; 
take  my  hand  in  friendship — it  is  offered  with  cordiality ;  but 
if  you  again  resume  the  subject  of  this  meeting,  I  shall  be 
forced  to  deny  myself  to  you  when  you  call." 

Rainscourt  turned  pale  as  he  complied  with  her  request. 
He  had  humiliated  himself  to  no  purpose.  Mortified  pride, 
mingled  with  rejected  passion,  formed  a  compound  of  deadly 
hate,  which  raged  with  fury  against  the  late  object  of  his 
desire.  He  commanded  himself  sufficiently  to  stammer  out 
his  regrets,  and  promised  not  again  to  introduce  the  subject ; 
and  lifting  up  the  offered  hand  respectfully  to  his  lips,  he 
quitted  her  presence  to  meditate  upon  revenge. 

The  liberal  settlements  which  he  had  made  at  the  time  of 
separation  were  too  firmly  secured  to  be  withheld.  To  remove 
his  daughter  was  the  next  idea  which  presented  itself;  but 
**•  that  could  not  be  effected.  Emily  was  of  a  resolute  disposition, 
and  would  not  consent  to  leave  her  mother ;  and  an  appeal  to 
Chancery  would  show  how  unfit  a  person  he  was  to  have  the 
responsible  charge  of  a  young  woman.  The  night  was  passed 
in  anxious  meditation,  and  before  the  morning  his  plans  were 
arranged.  Nothing  could  be  accomplished  by  force  ;  he  must 
therefore  resort  to  address — he  would  be  more  than  ever 
attentive,  and  trust  to  time  and  opportunity  for  the  gratification 
of  his  revenge. 

The  parties  continued  at  Cheltenham ;  and  Mr.  Rainscourt, 
322 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

following  up  his  plan,  made  an  avowal  to  his  wife  that  he  had 
now  abandoned  all  hopes  of  success,  and  would  not  importune 
her  any  more.  He  only  requested  that  she  would  receive  him 
on  those  terms  of  intimacy  in  which  consisted  the  present 
happiness  of  his  life.  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  who,  although  she  had 
resolution  sufficient  to  refuse  him,  felt  great  struggles  in  her 
own  mind  to  decide  the  victory  in  favour  of  prudence,  now 
leaned  more  favourably  towards  her  husband  than  before.  His 
assiduity  for  years — his  indifference  to  money  in  fitting  up  the 
castle  to  please  her — his  humiliation  when  he  kneeled  to  her- — 
his  subsequent  humble  expressions  of  regret — his  polite  atten- 
tion, notwithstanding  his  repulse— and,  added  to  all  these,  her 
gratified  pride — all  tended  to  soften  her  heart ;  and  it  is  more 
than  probable  that  in  a  few  months  she  would  have  thought 
him  sufficiently  punished  to  have  acceded  to  his  wishes— but 
it  was  fated  to  be  otherwise. 

One  morning  Rainscourt  called  in  his  curricle,  and  as  the 
horses  stood  at  the  door,  champing  their  bits,  and  tossing  their 
heads  as  they  were  held  by  the  dismounted  grooms,  Mrs.  Rains- 
court,  who  was  looking  out  of  the  window  with  her  husband, 
and  whose  heart  was  fast  warming  towards  him  (for  the  tide 
once  turned,  the  flow  of  affection  is  rapid),  playfully  observed, 
"  Mr.  Rainscourt,  you  often  take  Emily  out  with  you  in  your 
curricle,  but  you  have  never  offered  to  take  me ;  I  presume  you 
think  that  I  am  too  old." 

"  Indeed,  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  if  I  had  thought  that  you  would 
have  ventured,  Emily  would  not  so  often  have  been  seated  at 
my  side.  If  not  too  late,  and  you  will  pardon  my  negligence, 
oblige  me  by  permitting  me  to  drive  you  now." 

"  I  don't  know  whether  I  ought  to  do  so ;  but  as  married 
ladies  have  been  from  time  immemorial  forced  from  the  field 
by  their  daughters,  I  believe  I  shall  submit  to  the  affront  and 
accept  your  offer." 

"  I  feel  much  flattered,"  replied  he,  "by  your  kind  acquies- 
cence ;  but  you  must  allow  me  to  desire  my  grooms  to  take 
these  horses  out,  and  put  the  others  to,  which  are  much 
quieter.  It  will  be  a  delay  of  only  a  few  minutes." 

Mrs.  Rainscourt  smiled,  and  quitted  the  room  to  prepare  for 
her  excursion,  while  Rainscourt  descended  to  the  street  door. 

"  William,  drive  to  the  stables ;  take  these  horses  out,  and 
put  in  the  two  others." 

323 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"The  others,  sir,"  replied  the  man  with  surprise  ;  "what  ! 
Smolensko  and  Pony-towsky  ?" 

"  Yes — be  smart,  and  bring  them  round  as  soon  as  you  can." 

"  Why,  sir,  the  two  young  'uns  have  never  been  in  together 
yet — Smolensko's  but  a  rum  customer  when  aside  of  a  steady 
horse  ;  and  as  for  Pony-towsky,  he  jibs  just  as  bad  as  ever." 

"  Never  mind — put  them  in  and  bring  them  round." 

"  Then  I'd  better  tie  up  the  dog,  sir,  for  they  can't  neither 
of  them  abide  him." 

"  Never  mind — they  must  be  accustomed  to  him ;  so  let 
the  dog  follow  as  usual.  Be  quick  ; "  and  Rainscourt  returned 
to  the  house. 

"  Sam,  I  can't  for  the  life  of  me  fancy  what  master's  at 
to-day,"  said  William,  who  had  delivered  his  horse  over  to  the 
other  groom,  and  had  mounted  the  curricle  to  drive  it  to  the 
stable.  "  If  he  means  to  drive  them  two  devils  together, 
there's  no  road  in  England  wide  enough  for  him." 

"  I'm  sure  I  can't  tell,"  replied  the  other. 

"  No  man  in  his  senses  would  do  it — unless,  indeed,  he's 
going  to  drive  his  wife." 

"Why,  hardly  that,  for  they  say  he  wants  to  marry  her 
again." 

"  Marry  his  wife  again ! — no,  no,  Bill ;  master's  too  wide 
awake  for  that." 

The  curricle  reappeared  at  the  door ;  Rainscourt  handed 
in  his  wife,  and  the  horses  set  off,  tightly  reined  by  Rains- 
court,  and  flying  to  and  fro  from  the  pole,  so  as  to  alarm  Mrs. 
Rainscourt,  who  expressed  a  wish  to  alight. 

"  They  are  only  fresh  at  first  starting,  my  dear ;  they  will  be 
quiet  directly." 

"  Look  there  !  "  observed  one  of  the  promenaders  ;  "  there's 
Rainscourt  driving  his  wife  in  the  curricle." 

"Oh,  then,  the  bull  has  arrived,  you  may  depend  upon  it." 

As  they  spoke,  the  dog  made  a  spring  at  the  horses'  heads ; 
they  plunged  violently,  and  shortly  after  set  off  at  full  speed. 

Rainscourt  could  not  have  stopped  them  if  he  had  wished 
it ;  but  the  fact  was,  that  he  had  entered  the  curricle  deter- 
mined to  hazard  his  own  life  rather  than  not  gratify  his 
revenge.  All  that  was  left  for  him  was  to  guide  them,  and 
this  he  did  so  that  the  near  wheel  came  in  contact  with  a 
post.  The  horses,  with  the  pole  and  broken  traces,  continued 
324 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

their  rapid  career,  leaving  Rainscourt,  his  wife,  and  the  frag- 
ments of  the  vehicle  in  the  road. 

Rainscourt's  plan  had  been  successful.  Although  much 
contused  by  the  fall,  he  was  not  severely  injured.  Mrs. 
Rainscourt,  who  had  been  thrown  out  with  more  violence 
over  the  head  of  her  husband,  was  taken  up  with  a  fractured 
skull,  and  in  a  few  minutes  breathed  her  last. 


CHAPTER    XLVIII 

Oh,  for  a  forty -parson  power  to  chant 
Thy  praise,  Hypocrisy  !     Oh,  for  a  hymn 
Loud  as  the  virtues  thou  dost  loudly  vaunf^ 
Not  practise  ! 

BYRON. 

Hypocrisy,  the  thriving'st  calling, 
The  only  saint's-bell  that  rings  all  in  : 
A  gift  that  is  not  only  able 
To  domineer  among  the  rabble, 
But  by  the  law  's  empowered  to  rout, 
And  awe  the  greatest  that  stand  out. 

Hudibras. 

ALL-PERVADING  essence,  whose  subtle  spirit  hath  become 
a  part  component  of  everything  this  universe  contains — power 
that  presidest  over  nations  and  countries,  kingdoms  and  cities, 
courts  and  palaces,  and  every  human  tenement,  even  to  the 
lowly  cot — leaven  of  the  globe,  that  workest  in  the  councils 
of  its  princes,  in  the  reasonings  of  its  senates,  in  the  atmos- 
phere of  the  court,  in  the  traffic  of  the  city,  in  the  smiles  of 
the  enamoured  youth,  and  in  the  blush  of  the  responding 
maid — thou  that  clothest  with  awe  the  Serjeant's  coif  and  the 
bishop's  robe — thou  that  assistest  at  our  nurture,  our  educa- 
tion, and  our  marriage,  our  death,  our  funeral,  and  habili- 
ments of  woe — all  hail ! 

"  Chameleon  spirit— at  once  contributing  to  the  misery  of 

our  existence  and  adding  to  its  fancied  bliss — at  once  detested 

and  a  charm,  to  be  eschewed  and  to  be  practised —  that,  with 

thy   mystic  veil,  dimmest  the  bright  beauty  of  virtue,  and 

325 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

concealest  the  dark  deformity  of  vice — imperishable,  glorious, 
and  immortal  HUMBUG  !     Hail ! 

"  Thee  I  invoke — and  thus,  with  talismanic  pen,  commence 

7  spells — and  charge  thee,  in  the  name  of  courtiers'  bows, 
great  men's  promises,  of  bribery  oaths,  of  woman's  smiles, 
and  tears  of  residuary  legatees — 

"  Appear ! 

"  By  thy  favourite  works — thy  darling  sinking  fund — the 
blessings  of  free-trade — thy  joint-stock  companies — the  dread 
of  Popery — the  liberality  of  East  India  Directors,  and  the 
sincerity  of  West  India  philanthropists — 

"  Descend  ! 

"  By  the  annual  pageants — by  the  Lord  Mayor's  show,  and 
reform  in  Parliament — by  Burdett's  democracy,  and  the  first 
of  April — by  explanations,  and  calls  for  papers — by  Bartlemy 
fair,  and  the  minister's  budget — 
"  Come 

"  By  lawyers'  consultations,  and  Chancery  delay — public 
meetings,  and  public  dinners — loyal  toasts,  and  '  three  times 
three' — lady  patronesses,  and  lords  directors — and  by  the 
decoy  subscription  of  the  chair — 

"  Descend ! 
"  By  the  nolo  episcopari  of  the  Bishops — 

«  Come ! 

"By  newspaper  puffs,  and  newspaper  reports — by  patent 
medicines,  and  portable  dressing-cases,  wine-merchant's 

bottles,  ne-plus-ultra  corkscrews — H t's  corn,   C tt'-s 

maize,  W 's  blacking,  and  W 's  champagne — 

"  Appear ! 

"  By  thy  professional  followers,  the  fashionable  tailors, 
hair-dressers,  boot-makers,  milliners,  jewellers — all  the  auc- 
tioneers, and  all  the  bazaars — 

"  Come  to  my  aid  ! 

"  By  thy  interested  worshippers — by  shuffling  W e,  by 

Z M y,  Lawyer  S ns,  W m  S th,  T 1 

B n,  Sir  G r  M'G r,  and  Dom  M 1— 

"  Appear ! 
"By  thy  talented  votaries — 

"  Descend  ! 

"Still  heedless !— Then  by  the  living  B m,  and  the 

shade  of  C g,  come  ! 

326 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

"  Rebellious  and  wayward  spirit !  I  tell  thee,  come  thou 
must,  whether  thou  art  at  a  council  to  wage  a  war  in  which 
thousands  shall  perish,  or  upon  the  padding  of  a  coat,  by 
which,  unpaid  for,  but  one-ninth  part  of  a  man  shall  suffer — 
whether  thou  art  forging  the  powerful  artillery  of  woman 
against  unarmed  man,  and  directing  the  fire  from  her  eye, 
which,  like  that  of  the  Egyptian  queen,  shall  lose  an  empire 
— or  art  just  as  busy  in  the  adjustment  of  the  bustle1  of  a 
lady's-maid — appear  thou  must.  There  is  one  potent  spell, 
one  powerful  name,  which  shall  force  thee  trembling  to  my 
presence. — Now — 

"By  all  that  is  contemptible  — 

"  By  all  his  patriotism,  his  affection  for  the  army  and  the 
navy — by  his  flow  of  eloquence,  and  his  strength  of  argument 
— by  the  correctness  of  his  statements,  and  the  precision  of 
his  arithmetic — by  his  sum  tattle,  and  by  Joey  H — e  himself — 

"  Appear ! " 

[Humbug  descends,  amidst  a  discharge  of  Promethean  and 
copperplate  thunder. 

"  'Tis  well !  Now  perch  upon  the  tip,  and  guide  my  pen, 
and  contrive  that  the  wickedness  and  hypocrisy  of  the  indi- 
vidual may  be  forgotten  in  the  absurdity  of  the  scene." 

The  grooms  made  no  scruple,  after  the  catastrophe,  to  state 
all  that  had  passed  between  them  and  their  master ;  it  was 
spread  through  Cheltenham  with  the  usual  rapidity  of  all 
scandal,  in  a  place  where  people  have  nothing  to  do  but  to 
talk  about  each  other.  The  only  confutation  which  the  report 
received,  was  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Rainscourt.  He  was  posi- 
tively inconsolable — he  threw  himself  upon  the  remains,  declar- 
ing that  nothing  should  separate  him  from  his  dear — dear  Clara. 
The  honest  old  curate,  who  had  attended  Mrs.  Rainscourt  in 
her  last  moments,  had  great  difficulty,  with  the  assistance  of 
the  men-servants,  in  removing  him  to  another  chamber  on  the 
ensuing  day.  Some  declared  that  he  repented  of  his  unkind 
behaviour,  and  that  he  was  struck  with  remorse  ;  the  females 


1  I  am  not  certain  whether  I  spell  this  modern  invention  correctly ; 
if  not,  I  must  plead  ignorance.  I  have  asked  several  ladies  of  my  ac- 
quaintance, who  declare  that  they  never  heard  of  such  a  thing,  which, 
perhaps,  the  reader  will  agree  with  me  is  all  humbug. 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

observed,  that  men  never  knew  the  value  of  a  wife  until  they 
lost  her;  others  thought  his  grief  was  all  humbug,  although 
they  acknowledged  at  the  same  time  that  they  could  not  find 
out  any  interested  motives  to  induce  him  to  act  such  a  part. 

But  when  Mr.  Rainscourt  insisted  that  the  heart  of  the 
deceased  should  be  embalmed,  and  directed  it  to  be  enshrined 
in  an  urn  of  massive  gold,  then  all  Cheltenham  began  to  think 
that  he  was  sincere — at  least  all  the  ladies  did ;  and  the 
gentlemen,  married  or  single,  were  either  too  wise  or  too 
polite  to  offer  any  negative  remark  when  his  conduct  was 
pronounced  to  be  a  pattern  for  all  husbands.  Moreover,  Mr. 
Potts,  the  curate,  vouched  for  his  sincerity,  in  consequence  of 
the  handsome  gratuity  which  he  had  received  for  consigning 
Mrs.  Rainscourt  to  the  vault,  and  the  liberal  largess  to  the  poor 
upon  the  same  occasion.  "  How  could  any  man  prove  his 
sincerity  more?"  thought  Mr.  Potts,  who,  blinded  by  gratitude, 
forgot  that  although  in  affliction  our  hearts  are  softened  to- 
wards the  miseries  of  others,  on  the  other  hand,  we  are  quite 
as  (if  not  more)  liberal  when  intoxicated  with  good  fortune. 

Be  it  as  it  may,  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Rainscourt  was  pro- 
nounced most  exemplary.  All  hints  and  surmises  of  former 
variance  were  voted  scandalous,  and  all  Cheltenham  talked  of 
nothing  but  the  dead  Mrs.  Rainscourt,  the  living  Mr.  Rains- 
court,  the  heart,  and  the  magnificent  gold  urn. 

"  Have  you  heard  how  poor  Mr.  Rainscourt  is  ?  "  was  the 
usual  question  at  the  pump,  as  the  ladies  congregated  to  pour 
down  No.  3  or  No.  4.  in  accordance  with  the  directions  of 
the  medical  humbugs. 

"  More  resigned — they  say  he  was  seen  walking  after  dark." 

"  Was  he,  indeed  ?  to  the  churchyard,  of  course.  Poor  dear 
man ! " 

"  Miss  Emily's  maid  told  my  Abigail  last  night,  that  she  looks 
quite  beautiful  in  her  mourning.  But  I  suppose  she  will  not 
come  on  the  promenade  again  before  she  leaves  Cheltenham." 
She  ought  not,"  replied  a  young  lady  who  did  not  much 
ove  of  so  handsome  an  heiress  remaining  at  Cheltenham, 
dll  be  very  incorrect  if  she  does  ;  some  one  ought  to  tell 
her  so." 

With  the  exception  of  Mr.  Potts,  no  one  had  dared  to  break 
in  upon  the  solitude  of  Mr.  Rainscourt,  who  had  remained  th? 
whole  day  upon  the  sofa,  Avith  the  urn  on  the  table  before  him, 
328 


approve 
"  It  wil 


THE    KING'S  -OWN 

and  the  shutters  closed  to  exclude  the  light.  The  worthy  curate 
called  upon  him  every  evening,  renewing  his  topics  of  consola- 
tion, and  pointing  out  the  duty  of  Christian  resignation.  A 
deep  sigh !  a  heavy  Ah  !  or  a  long-drawn  Oh  !  were  all  the 
variety  of  answers  that  could  be  obtained  for  some  days.  But 
time  does  wonders;  and  Mr.  Rainscourt  at  last  inclined  an 
ear  to  the  news  of  the  day,  and  listened  with  marked  atten- 
tion to  the  answers  which  he  elicited  from  the  curate,  by  his 
indirect  questions,  as  to  what  the  world  said  about  him. 

"  Come,  come,  Mr.  Rainscourt,  do  not  indulge  your  grief 
any  more.  Excess  becomes  criminal.  It  is  my  duty  to  tell 
you  so,  and  yours  to  attend  to  me.  It  is  not  to  be  expected 
that  you  will  immediately  return  to  the  world  and  its  amuse- 
ments ;  but  as  there  must  be  a  beginning,  why  not  come 
and  take  your  family  dinner  to-day  with  Mrs.  Potts  and  me  ? 
Now  let  me  persuade  you — she  will  be  delighted  to  see  you 
— we  dine  at  five.  A  hot  joint — nothing  more." 

Rainscourt,  who  was  rather  tired  of  solitude,  refused  in  such 
a  way  as  to  induce  the  worthy  curate  to  reiterate  his  invitation, 
and  at  length,  with  great  apparent  unwillingness,  consented. 
The  curate  sat  with  him  until  the  dinner  hour,  when,  leaning 
on  the  pastor's  arm,  Rainscourt  walked  down  the  street  in 
all  the  trappings  of  his  woe,  and  his  eyes  never  once  raised 
from  the  ground. 

"  There's  Mr.  Rainscourt !  There's  Mr.  Rainscourt !  "  whis- 
pered some  of  the  promenaders  who  were  coming  up  the  street. 

"No  !  that's  not  him." 

"  Yes  it  is,  walking  with  Mr.  Potts !  Don't  you  see  his 
beautiful  large  dog  following  him  ?  He  never  walks  without 
it.  An't  it  a  beauty  ?  It's  a  Polygar  dog  from  the  East 
Indies.  His  name  is  Tippoo." 

The  house  of  the  curate  was  but  a  short  distance  from  the 
lodgings  occupied  by  Mr.  Rainscourt.  They  soon  entered,  and 
were  hid  from  the  prying  eyes  of  the  idle  and  the  curious. 

"  I  have  persuaded  Mr.  Rainscourt  to  come  and  take  a 
family  dinner  with  us,  my  dear." 

"  Quite  delighted  to  see  him,"  replied  Mrs.  Potts,  casting  a 
sidelong  angry  glance  at  her  husband. 

Mr.  Rainscourt  made  a  slight  bow,  and  threw  himself  on 
the  sofa,  covering  his  face  with  his  hand,  as  if  the  light  was 
hideous. 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

Mrs.  Potts  took  the  opportunity  of  escaping  by  the  door, 
beckoning  to  her  husband  as  soon  as  she  was  outside. 

"  And  I  will  go  and  decant  the  wine. — Quite  in  the  family 
way,  Mr.  Rainscourt — no  ceremony.  You'll  excuse  me/'  con- 
tinued the  curate,  as  he  obeyed  the  summons  of  his  wife,  like 
a  schoolboy  ordered  up  to  be  birched. 

"  Well,  my  dear  ?  "  interrogated  Mr.  Potts  humbly,  as  soon 
as  the  door  was  closed.  But  Mrs.  Potts  made  no  reply,  until 
she  had  led  her  husband  to  such  a  distance  from  the  parlour 
as  she  imagined  would  prevent  Mr.  Rainscourt  from  being 
roused  by  the  high  pitch  to  which  she  intended  to  raise  her 
voice. 

"  I  do  declare,  Mr.  Potts,  you  are  a  complete  fool.  Saturday 
— all  the  maids  washing— and  ask  him  to  dinner !  There's 
positively  nothing  to  eat.  It  really  is  too  provoking." 

"  Well,  my  dear,  what  does  it  matter  ?  The  poor  man  will 
in  all  probability  not  eat  a  bit — he  is  so  overcome." 

"So  over-fiddlesticked  !  "  replied  the  lady.  "  Grief  never 
hurts  the  appetite,  Mr.  Potts ;  on  the  contrary,  people  care 
more  then  about  a  good  dinner  than  at  other  times.  It's  the 
only  enjoyment  they  can  have  without  being  accused  by  the 
world  of  want  of  feeling." 

"  Well,  you  know  better  than  I,  my  dear  ;  but  I  really  think 
that  if  you  were  to  die  I  could  not  eat  a  bit." 

"  And  I  tell  you,  Mr.  Potts,  I  could,  if  you  were  to  die  to- 
morrow. So  stupid  of  you  ! — Sally,  run  and  take  off  the  table- 
cloth— it's  quite  dirty  ;  put  on  one  of  the  fine  damask." 

"  They  will  be  very  large  for  the  table,  ma'am." 

"  Never  mind  — be  quick,  and  step  next  door,  and  ask  the 
old  German  to  come  in  and  wait  at  table.  He  shall  have  a 
pint  of  strong  beer." 

Sally  did  as  she  was  bid.  Mr.  Potts,  whose  wine  had  been 
decanted  long  before,  and  Mrs.  Potts,  who  had  vented  her 
spleen  upon  her  husband,  returned  into  the  parlour  together. 

"  My  dear  Mr.  Potts  is  so  particular  about  decanting  his 
wine,"  observed  the  lady,  with  a  gracious  smile,  as  she  entered  ; 
"  he  is  so  long  about  it,  and  scolds  me  so  if  ever  I  wish  to 
do  it  for  him." 

Mr.  Potts  was  a  little  surprised  at  the  last  accusation  ;  but 
as  he  had  long  been  drilled,  he  laughed  assent.  A  tedious 
half-hour — during  which  the  lady  had  all  the  conversation  to 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

herself,  for  the  curate  answered  only  in  monosyllabic  com- 
pliance, and  Rainscourt  made  no  answer  whatever — elapsed 
before  dinner  was  announced  by  the  German  mercenary  who 
had  been  subsidised. 

"  Meinheer,  de  dinner  was  upon  de  table." 

"  Come,  Mr.  Rainscourt,"  said  the  curate,  in  a  persuasive 
tone. 

Rainscourt  got  up,  and  without  offering  his  arm  to  the  lady, 
who  had  her  own  bowed  out  in  readiness,  stalked  out  of  the 
room  by  the  side  of  Mr.  Potts,  followed  by  his  wife,  who  by 
her  looks  seemed  to  imply  that  she  considered  that  the  demise 
of  one  woman  was  no  excuse  for  a  breach  of  politeness  towards 
another. 

The  covers  were  removed — two  small  soles  (much  too  small 
for  three  people)  and  a  dish  of  potatoes.  "  Will  you  allow 
me  to  offer  you  a  little  sole,  Mr.  Rainscourt  ?  I  am  afraid 
you  will  have  a  very  poor  dinner." 

Rainscourt  bowed  in  the  negative,  and  the  soles  disap- 
peared in  a  very  short  time  between  the  respective  organs  of 
mastication  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Potts. 

The  dishes  of  the  first  course  were  removed ;  and  the 
German  appeared  with  a  covered  dish,  followed  by  Sally,  who 
brought  some  vegetables,  and  returned  to  the  kitchen  for  more. 

"  I'm  afraid  you  will  have  a  very  poor  dinner,"  repeated  the 
lady.  "  Take  off  the  cover,  Sneider. — Will  you  allow  me  to 
help  you  to  a  piece  of  this  ?  " 

Rainscourt  turned  his  head  round  to  see  if  the  object 
offered  was  such  as  to  tempt  his  appetite,  and  beheld — a 
smoking  bullock's  heart ! 

"  My  wife,  my  wife  ! "  exclaimed  he,  as  he  darted  from  his 
chair ;  and  covering  his  face  as  if  to  hide  from  his  sight  the 
object  which  occasioned  the  concatenation  of  ideas,  attempted 
to  run  out  of  the  room. 

But  his  escape  was  not  so  easy.  In  his  hurried  movement 
he  had  entangled  himself  with  the  long  table-cloth  that 
trailed  on  the  carpet,  and,  to  the  dismay  of  the  party,  every- 
thing that  was  on  the  table  was  swept  off  in  his  retreat ;  and 
as  he  had  blindfolded  himself,  he  ran  with  such  force  against 
the  German,  who  was  in  the  act  of  receiving  a  dish  from 
Sally,  that  precipitating  him  against  her,  they  both  rolled 
prostrate  on  the  floor. 

331 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Ah,  mein  Got,  mein  Got !  "  roared  the  German,  as  his 
face  was  smothered  with  the  hot  stewed  peas,  a  dish  of  which 
he  was  carrying  as  he  fell  on  his  back. 

"  Oh,  my  eye,  my  eye  ! "  bellowed  Sally,  as  she  rolled  upon 
the  floor. 

"  My  wife,  my  wife  ! "  reiterated  Rainscourt,  as  he  trampled 
over  them,  and  secured  his  retreat. 

"  And  oh,  my  dinner,  my  dinner  ! "  ejaculated  the  curate, 
as  he  surveyed  the  general  wreck. 

"  And  oh,  you  fool,  you  fool,  Mr.  Potts  !  "  echoed  the  lady, 
with  her  arms  akimbo,  "  to  ask  such  a  man  to  dine  with  you  !  " 

"  Well,  I  had  no  idea  that  he  could  have  taken  it  so  much 
to  heart,"  replied  the  curate  meekly. 

But  we  must  follow  Rainscourt,  who — whether  really  agitated 
by  the  circumstance,  or  aware  that  it  would  be  bruited  abroad, 
thought  that  a  display  of  agitation  would  be  advisable — pro- 
ceeded with  hurried  steps  to  the  promenades,  where  he 
glided  through  the  thoughtless  crowd  with  the  silent  rapidity 
of  a  ghost.  Having  sufficiently  awakened  the  curiosity  of  the 
spectators,  he  sank  down  on  one  of  the  most  retired  benches, 
with  his  eyes  for  some  time  thrown  up  in  contemplation  of 
the  fleecy  clouds,  beyond  which  kind  spirits  are  supposed  to 
look  down  and  weep  over  the  follies  and  inconsistencies  of  an 
erring  world.  Casting  his  eyes  to  earth,  he  beheld — horror 
upon  horrors — the  detested  bullock's  heart,  which  his  great 
Polygar  dog  had  seized  during  the  confusion  of  the  dinner 
scene,  and  had  followed  him  out  with  it  in  his  mouth.  Find- 
ing it  too  hot  to  carry  immediately  after  its  seizure,  he  hac' 
for  a  time  laid  it  down  and  had  just  arrived  with  it.  There 
he  was,  not  a  foot  from  the  bench,  his  jaws  distended  with 
the  prize,  tossing  up  his  head  as  if  in  mockery  of  his  master, 
and  wagging  his  long  feathered  tail. 

Rainscourt  again  made  a  precipitate  retreat  to  his  own  lodg- 
ings, accompanied  by  the  faithful  animal,  who,  delighted  at  the 
unusual  rapidity  of  his  master's  movements,  bounded  before  him 
with  his  treasure,  of  which  he  was  much  too  polite  to  think  of 
making  a  repast  until  a  more  seasonable  opportunity.  Rains- 
court  knocked  at  the  door ;  as  soon  as  it  was  opened  the  dog 
bounced  up  before  him,  entering  the  chamber  of  woe,  and 
crouching  under  the  table  upon  which  the  golden  urn  was 
placed,  with  the  heart  between  his  paws,  saluted  his  master  with 
SB* 


THE    KING'S   OWN 

a  rap  or  two  of  his  tail  on  the  carpet,  and  commenced  his 
dinner. 

The  servant  was  summoned,,  and  Rainscourt,  without  look- 
ing at  either  the  urn,  the  dog,  or  the  man,  cried  in  an  angry 
tone,  "Take  that  heart  and  throw  it  away  immediately." 

"Sir!"  replied  the  domestic,  with  astonishment,  who  did 
not  observe  the  dog  and  his  occupation. 

"Throw  it  away  immediately,  sir — do  you  hear?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  man,  taking  the  urn  from  the  table, 
and  quitting  the  room  with  it,  muttering  to  himself  as  he 
descended  the  stairs,  "I  thought  it  wouldn't  last  long." 
Having  obeyed  his  supposed  instructions,  he  returned — "  If 
you  please,  sir,  where  am  I  to  put  the  piece  of  plate  ?  " 

"The  piece  of  plate  !" — Rainscourt  turned  round,  and  be- 
held the  vacant  urn.  It  was  too  much — that  evening  he 
ordered  the  horses,  and  left  Cheltenham  for  ever. 

Various  were  the  reports  of  the  subsequent  week.  Some 
said  that  the  fierce  dog  had  broken  open  the  urn,  and  de- 
voured the  embalmed  heart.  Some  told  one  story — some 
another ;  and  before  the  week  was  over,  all  the  stories  had 
become  incomprehensible. 

In  one  point  they  all  agreed — that  Mr.  Rainscourt's  grief 
was  all  humbug. 

"  'Tis  well  ! — Thou  hast  'done  thy  spiriting  gently,'  or,  for 
thy  tardy  coming,  I  would  have  sentenced  thee  to  the  task  of 
infusing  thy  spirit  into  the  consistent  Eldon,  or  into  Arthur 
Duke  of  Wellington — where,  like  a  viper  at  a  file,  thou 
shouldest  have  tortured  thyself  in  vain." 


333 


THE   KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  XLIX 

There  leviathan, 

Hugest  of  living  creatures,  on  the  deep, 
Stretched  like  a  promontory,  sleeps  or  swims. 

MILTON. 

CONGRATULATE  me,  reader,  that,  notwithstanding  I  have 
been  beating  against  wind  and  tide,  that  is  to  say,  writing  this 
book,  through  all  the  rolling  and  pitching,  headache  and  indi- 
gestion, incident  to  the  confined  and  unnatural  life  of  a  sailor,  I 
have  arrived  at  my  last  chapter.  You  may  be  surprised  at  this 
assertion,  finding  yourself  hi  the  middle  of  the  third  volume ; 
but  such  is  the  fact.  Doubtless  you  have  imagined  that, 
according  to  the  usual  method,  I  had  begun  at  the  beginning, 
and  would  have  finished  at  the  end.  Had  I  done  so,  this 
work  would  not  have  been  so  near  to  a  close  as,  thank 
Heaven,  it  is  at  present.  At  times  I  have  been  gay,  at 
others,  sad ;  and  I  am  obliged  to  write  according  to  my 
humour,  which,  as  variable  as  the  wind,  seldom  continues  in 
one  direction.  I  have  proceeded  with  this  book  as  I  should 
do  if  I  had  had  to  build  a  ship.  The  dimensions  of  every 
separate  piece  of  timber  I  knew  by  the  sheer-draught  which 
lay  before  me.  It  therefore  made  no  difference  upon  which 
I  began,  as  they  all  were  to  be  cut  out  before  I  bolted  them 
together.  I  should  have  taken  them  just  as  they  came  to 
hand,  and  sorted  them  for  their  respective  uses.  My  keel  is 
laid  on  the  slips,  and  my  stern  is  raised ;  these  will  do  for 
futtocks — these  for  beams.  I  lay  those  aside  for  riders  ;  and 
out  of  these  gnarled  and  twisted  pieces  of  oak,  I  select  my 
knees.  It  is  of  little  consequence  on  which  my  adze  is  first 
employed.  Thus  it  was  that  a  fit  of  melancholy  produced  the 
last  half  of  the  third  volume ;  and  my  stern-post,  transoms, 
and  fashion-pieces  were  framed  out  almost  before  my  floor- 
timbers  were  laid.  But  you  will  perceive  that  this  is  of  no 
consequence.  All  are  now  bolted  together  ;  and  with  the 
exception  of  a  little  dubbing  away  here  and  there,  a  little 
gingerbread  work,  and  a  coat  of  paint,  she  is  ready  for  launch- 
ing. Now  all  is  ready. — Give  me  the  bottle  of  wine — and, 
334 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

as  she  rushes  into  the  sea  of  public  opinion,  upon  which  her 
merits  are  to  be  ascertained,  I  christen  her  "  THE  KING'S  OWN." 

And  now  that  she  is  afloat,  I  must  candidly  acknowledge 
that  I  am  not  exactly  pleased  with  her.  To  speak  technically, 
her  figure-head  is  not  thrown  out  enough.  To  translate  this 
observation  into  plain  English,  I  find,  on  turning  over  the 
different  chapters,  that  my  hero,  as  I  have  often  designated 
him,  is  not  sufficiently  the  hero  of  my  tale.  As  soon  as  he  is 
shipped  on  board  of  a  man-of-war,  he  becomes  as  insignifi- 
cant as  a  midshipman  must  unavoidably  be  from  his  humble 
situation.  I  see  the  error- — yet  I  cannot  correct  it,  without 
overthrowing  all  "  rules  and  1'egulations,"  which  I  cannot  per- 
suade myself  to  do,  even  in  a  work  of  fiction.  Trammelled  as 
I  am  by  "the  service,"  I  can  only  plead  guilty  to  what  it  is 
impossible  to  amend  without  commencing  de  novo- — for  every- 
thing and  everybody  must  find  their  level  on  board  of  a  king's 
ship.  Well,  I've  one  comfort  left — Sir  Walter  Scott  has  never 
succeeded  in  making  a  hero ;  or,  in  other  words,  his  best 
characters  are  not  those  which  commonly  go  under  the  desig- 
nation of  "the  hero."  I  am  afraid  there  is  something  irre- 
claimably  insipid  in  these  prevx  chevaliers. 

But  I  must  go  in  search  of  the  Aspasia.  There  she  is,  with 
studding-sails  set,  about  fifty  miles  to  the  northward  of  the 
Cape  of  Good  Hope ;  and  I  think  that  when  the  reader  has 
finished  this  chapter,  he  will  be  inclined  to  surmise  that  the 
author,  as  well  as  the  Aspasia,  has  most  decidedly  "  doubled 
the  Cape."  The  frigate  was  standing  her  course  before  a 
light  breeze,  at  the  rate  of  four  or  five  knots  an  hour,  and 

Captain  M was  standing  at  the  break  of  the  gangway, 

talking  with  the  first  lieutenant,  when  the  man  stationed  at 
the  masthead  called  out,  "  A  rock  on  the  lee-bow  ! "  The 
Telemaque  shoal,  which  is  supposed  to  exist  somewhere  to 
the  southward  of  the  Cape,  but  whose  situation  has  never 
been  ascertained,  had  just  before  been  the  subject  of  their 

conversation.     Startled  at  the   intelligence,  Captain  M 

ordered  the  studding-sails  to  be  taken  in,  and  hailing  the 
man  at  the  masthead,  inquired  how  far  the  rock  was  distant 
from  the  ship. 

"  I  can  see  it  off  the  fore-yard,"  answered  Pearce,  the 
master,  who  had  immediately  ascended  the  rigging  upon  the 
report. 

335 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

The  first  lieutenant  now  went  aloft,  and  soon  brought  it 
down  to  the  lower  ratlines.  In  a  few  minutes  it  was  distinctly 
seen  from  the  deck  of  the  frigate. 

The  ship's  course  was  altered  three  or  four  points,  that  no 

risk  might  be  incurred ;  and  Captain  M ,  directing  the 

people  aloft  to  keep  a  sharp  look-out  for  any  change  in  the 
colour  of  the  water,  continued  to  near  the  supposed  danger 
in  a  slanting  direction. 

The  rock  appeared  to  be  about  six  or  seven  feet  above  the 
water's  edge,  with  a  base  of  four  or  five  feet  in  diameter.  To 
the  great  surprise  of  all  parties,  there  was  no  apparent  change 
in  colour  to  indicate  that  they  shoaled  their  water ;  and  it 
was  not  until  they  hove-to  within  two  cables'  length,  and  the 
cutter  was  ordered  to  be  cleared  away  to  examine  it,  that 
they  perceived  that  the  object  of  their  scrutiny  was  in  motion. 
This  was  now  evident,  and  in  a  direction  crossing  the  stern  of 
the  ship. 

"  I  think  that  it  is  some  kind  of  fish,"  observed  Seymour ; 
"  I  saw  it  raise  its  tail  a  little  out  of  the  water." 

And  such  it  proved  to  be,  as  it  shortly  afterwards  passed 
the  ship  within  half  a  cable's  length.  It  was  a  large  sper- 
maceti whale,  on  the  head  of  which  some  disease  had  formed 
an  enormous  spongy  excrescence,  which  had  the  appearance  of 
a  rock,  and  was  so  buoyant  that,  although  the  animal  made 
several  attempts  as  it  approached  the  ship,  it  could  not  sink 

under  water.  Captain  M ,  satisfied  that  it  really  was  as  we 

have  described,  again  made  sail,  and  pursued  his  course. 

"  It  is  very  strange  and  very  important,"  observed  he,  "  that 
a  disease  of  any  description  can  scarcely  be  confined  to  one 
individual,  but  must  pervade  the  whole  species.  This  circum- 
stance may  account  for  the  many  rocks  reported  to  have  been 
seen  in  various  parts  of  the  southern  hemisphere,  and  which 
have  never  been  afterwards  fallen  in  with.  A  more  complete 
deception  I  never  witnessed." 

"  Had  we  hauled  off  sooner,  and  not  have  examined  it,  I 
should  have  had  no  hesitation  in  asserting  most  confidently 
that  we  had  seen  a  rock,"  answered  the  first  lieutenant. 

Captain  M went  below,  and  was  soon  after  at  table 

with  the  first  lieutenant  and  Macallan,  who  had  been  invited 

to  dine  in  the  cabin.     After  dinner,  the  subject  was  again 

introduced.     "  I   have   my  doubts,   sir,"    observed   the   first 

336 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

lieutenant,  "  whether  I  shall  ever  venture  to  tell  the  story  in 
England.  I  never  should  be  believed." 

Le  vrai  nest  pas  toujours  le  vraisemblable,"  answered  Captain 

M ;  "and  I  am  afraid  that  too  often  a  great  illiberality 

is  shown  towards  travellers,  who,  after  having  encountered 
great  difficulties  and  dangers,  have  the  mortification  not  to 
be  credited  upon  their  return.  "  Although  credulity  is  to  be 
guarded  against,  I  do  not  know  a  greater  proof  of  ignorance 
than  refusing  to  believe  anything  because  it  does  not  exactly 
coincide  with  one's  own  ideas.  The  more  confined  these 
may  be,  from  want  of  education  or  knowledge,  the  more  in- 
credulous people  are  apt  to  become.  Two  of  the  most  enter- 
prising travellers  of  modern  days,  Bruce  and  Le  Vaillant,  were 
ridiculed  and  discredited  upon  their  return.  Subsequent 
travellers,  who  went  the  same  track  as  the  former,  with  a 
view  to  confute,  were  obliged  to  corroborate  his  assertions ; 
and  all  who  have  followed  the  latter  have  acknowledged  the 
correctness  of  his  statements." 

"  Your  observations  remind  me  of  the  story  of  the  old 
woman  and  her  grandson,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant.  "  You 
recollect  it,  I  presume  ?  " 

"Indeed  I  do  not,"  said  Captain  M ;  "pray  favour  me 

with  it." 

The  first  lieutenant  then  narrated,  with  a  considerable 
degree  of  humour,  the  following  story  : — 

"  A  lad  who  had  been  some  years  at  sea  returned  home  to 
his  aged  grandmother,  who  was  naturally  curious  to  hear  his 
adventures. — 'Now,  Jack,'  said  the  old  woman,  'tell  me  all 
you've  seen,  and  tell  me  the  most  wonderful  things  first.' 

" f  Well,  granny,  when  we  were  in  the  Red  Sea,  we  anchored 
close  to  the  shore,  and  when  we  hove  the  anchor  up,  there 
was  a  chariot  wheel  hanging  to  it.' 

" '  Oh  !  Jack,  Pharaoh  and  his  host  were  drowned  in  the 
Red  Sea,  you  know  ;  that  proves  the  Bible  is  all  true.  Well, 
Jack,  and  what  else  did  you  see  ? ' 

" '  Why,  granny,  when  I  was  in  the  West  Indies,  I  saw  whole 
mountains  of  sugar,  and  the  rivers  between  them  were  all  rum.' 

" ( True,  true,'  said  the  old  woman,  smacking  her  lips ;  '  we 
get  all  the  sugar  and  rum  from  there,  you  know.  Pray,  Jack, 
did  you  ever  see  a  mermaid  ? ' 

" '  Why,  no,  granny,  but  I've  seen  a  merman.' 

337  Y 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"'Well,  let's  hear,  Jack.' 

" '  Why,  granny,  when  we  anchored  to  the  northward  of  St. 
Kitt's  one  Sunday  morning,  a  voice  called  us  from  alongside, 
and  when  we  looked  over,  there  was  a  merman  just  come  to 
the  top  of  the  water ;  he  stroked  down  his  hair,  and  touched 
it,  as  we  do  our  hats,  to  the  captain,  and  told  him  that  he 
would  feel  much  obliged  to  him  to  trip  his  anchor,  as  it  had 
been  let  go  just  before  the  door  of  his  house  below,  which 
they  could  not  open  in  consequence,  and  his  wife  would  be 
too  late  to  go  to  church.' 

" '  God  bless  me  ! '  says  the  old  woman  ;  '  why,  they're  Chris- 
tians, I  do  declare  ! — And  now,  Jack,  tell  me  something  more.' 

"  Jack,  whose  invention  was  probably  exhausted,  then  told 
her  that  he  had  seen  hundreds  of  fish  flying  in  the  air. 

" '  Come,  come,  Jack/  said  the  old  woman,  '  now  you're 
bamming  me — don't  attempt  to  put  such  stories  off  on  your 
old  granny.  The  chariot  wheel  I  can  believe,  because  it  is 
likely ;  the  sugar  and  rum  I  know  to  be  true ;  and  also  the 
merman,  for  I  have  seen  pictures  of  them.  But  as  for  fish 
flying  in  the  air,  Jack — that's  a  lie.' " 

"Excellent,"  said  Captain  M .  "Then  the  only  part 

that  was  true  she  rejected,  believing  all  the  monstrous  lies 
that  he  had  coined." 

"  If  any  unknown  individual,"  observed  Macallan,  "and  not 
Captain  Cook,  had  reported  the  existence  of  such  an  animal  as 
the  ornithorhynchus,  or  duck-billed  platypus,  without  bringing 
home  the  specimen  as  a  proof,  who  would  have  credited  his 
statement  ?  " 

"No  one,"  replied  Captain  M .  "Still,  such  is  the 

scepticism  of  the  present  age,  that  travellers  must  be  content 
with  having  justice  done  to  them  after  they  are  dead." 

"  That's  but  cold  comfort,  sir,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant, 
rising  from  the  table,  which  movement  was  immediately  fol- 
lowed by  the  remainder  of  the  guests,  who  bowed,  and  quitted 
the  cabin. 

.  NOTE. — It  is  singular  that  the  almost  incredible  story  in  the  above 
chapter  is,  perhaps,  the  only  real  fact  in  the  whole  book.  It  will  be 
found  in  the  log  of  the  ship,  and  signed  by  all  the  officers  ;  and  yet 
many  of  my  readers  will  be  inclined  to  reject  this,  and  believe  a  con- 
siderable portion  of  the  remainder  of  the  composition  to  have  been 
drawn  from  living  characters,  if  so,  they  will  be  like  the  old  woman. 
338 


THE  KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  L 

Cym.  Guiderius  had 
Upon  his  neck  a  mole,  a  sanguine  star. 

Bd.  This  is  he, 
Who  hath  upon  him  still  that  stamp. 

SHAKSPEARE. 

WHEN  Mr.  Rainscourt  left  Cheltenham,  he  wrote  a  hasty 
note  to  the  M'Elvinas,  requesting  that  they  would  take  charge 
of  Emily,  whose  presence  would  be  necessary  at  the  Hall  ; 
and  when  they  had  arranged  their  own  affairs,  would  bring 
her  with  them  over  to  Ireland,  where  it  was  his  intention  to 
reside  for  some  time.  A  few  days  after  Rainscourt  had  quitted 
Cheltenham,  Emily,  who  since  her  mother's  death  had  re- 
mained with  the  M'Elvinas,  was  accompanied  by  them  to  that 
home  which,  for  the  first  time,  she  returned  to  with  regret. 

It  may  be  inquired  by  the  reader  whether  Rainscourt  was 
not  harassed  by  his  conscience.  I  never  heard  that  he  showed 
any  outward  signs.  Conscience  has  been  described  as  a 
most  importunate  monitor,  paying  no  respect  to  persons,  and 
making  cowards  of  us  all.  Now,  as  far  as  I  have  been  able  to 
judge  from  external  evidence,  there  is  not  a  greater  courtier 
than  conscience.  It  is  true  that,  when  in  adversity,  he  up- 
braids us,  and  holds  up  the  catalogue  of  our  crimes  so  close 
to  our  noses,  that  we  cannot  help  reading  eveiy  line.  It  is 
true  that,  when  suffering  with  disease,  and  terrified  with  the 
idea  of  going  we  know  not  where,  he  assails  the  enfeebled 
mind  and  bodv,  and  scares  away  the  little  resolution  we  have 
left.  But  in  the  heyday  of  youth,  in  the  vigour  of  health, 
with  the  means  of  administering  to  our  follies,  and  adding 
daily  and  hourly  to  our  ci'imes,  "  he  never  mentions  hell  to 
ears  polite."  In  fact,  he  never  attacks  a  man  who  has  more 
than  ten  thousand  a  year.  Like  a  London  tradesman,  he 
never  presents  his  bill  as  long  as  you  give  him  fresh  orders 
that  will  increase  it  ;  but  once  prove  yourself  to  be  "  cleaned 
out,"  by  no  longer  swelling  the  amount,  and  he  pounces  upon 
you,  and  demands  a  post-obit  bond  upon  the  next  world 
which,  like  all  others,  will  probably  be  found  very  disagree- 
339 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

able  and  inconvenient  to  liquidate.  Conscience,  therefore, 
is  not  an  honest  sturdy  adviser,  but  a  sneaking  scoundrel, 
who  allows  you  to  run  into  his  debt,  never  caring  to  tell  you, 
as  a  caution,  but  rather  concealing  your  bill  from  you,  as  long 
as  there  is  a  chance  of  your  increasing  its  length — satisfied 
that,  eventually,  he  must  be  paid  in  some  shape  or  other. 

The  M'Elvinas,  who  could  not  leave  Emily  by  herself,  took 
up  their  abode  at  the  Hall  until  the  necessary  arrangements 
had  been  completed,  and  then  removed  with  her  to  the  cot- 
tage, that  they  might  attend  to  their  own  affairs.  Emily  was 
deeply  affected  at  the  loss  of  her  mother.  She  had  always 
been  a  kind  and  indulgent  friend,  who  had  treated  her  more 
as  an  equal  than  as  one  subject  to  authority  and  control. 
The  M'Elvinas  were  anxious  to  remove  Emily  from  the  Hall, 
where  every  object  that  presented  itself  formed  a  link  of 
association  with  her  loss,  and  trifles  in  themselves  would 
occasion  a  fresh  burst  of  grief  from  the  affectionate  and 
sorrowful  girl.  And  she  may  be  pardoned  when  I  state,  that 
perhaps  the  bitterest  tears  which  were  shed  were  those  when 
she  threw  herself  on  that  sofa  where  she  had  remained  after 
the  abrupt  departure  of  William  Seymour. 

The  vicar  hastened  to  offer  his  condolence ;  and  finding 
that  Emily  was  as  resigned  as  could  be  expected,  after  a  long 
visit  walked  out  with  M'Elvina,  that  he  might  have  a  more 
detailed  account  of  the  unfortunate  event.  M'Elvina  related 
it  circumstantially,  but  without  communicating  the  suspicions 
which  the  story  of  the  grooms  had  occasioned,  for  he  was 
aware  that  the  vicar  was  too  charitable  to  allow  anything 
but  positive  evidence  to  be  of  weight  in  an  accusation  so 
degrading  to  human  nature. 

"  It  is  strange,"  observed  the  vicar  very  gravely,  "  but  it 
seems  as  if  a  fatality  attended  the  possessors  of  this  splendid 
estate.  The  death  of  Admiral  de  Courcy  was  under  most 
painful  circumstances,  without  friend  or  relation  to  close  his 
eyes ;  it  was  followed  by  that  of  his  immediate  heir,  who  was 
drowned  as  soon  almost  as  the  property  devolved  to  him — and 
I,  who  was  appointed  to  be  his  guardian,  never  beheld  my 
charge  ;  now  we  have  another  violent  death  of  the  possessor 
— and  all  within  the  space  of  twelve  or  thirteen  years.  You 
have  probably  heard  something  of  the  singular  history  of  the 
former  heir  to  the  estate  ?  " 

340 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  I  heard  you  state  that  he  was  drowned  at  sea,  but  nothing 
further." 

"  Or,  rather,  supposed  to  be,  for  we  never  had  proof  posi- 
tive. He  was  sent  away  in  a  prize,  which  never  was  heard 
of;  and  although  there  is  no  confirmation  of  the  fact,  I  have 
no  doubt  but  he  was  lost.  I  do  not  know  when  I  was  so 
much  distressed  as  at  the  death  of  that  child.  There  was 
a  peculiarity  of  incident  in  his  history,  the  facts  of  which  I 
have  not  as  yet  communicated  to  any  one,  as  there  are  certain 
points  which  even  distant  branches  of  the  family  may  wish 
to  keep  concealed ;  yet,  upon  a  promise  of  secrecy,  Mr. 
M'Elvina,  I  will  impart  them  to  you." 

The  promise  being  given,  the  vicar  commenced  with  the 
history  of  Admiral  de  Courcy — his  treatment  of  his  wife  and 
children — the  unfortunate  marriage,  and  more  unfortunate 
demise  of  Edward  Peters,  or  rather  of  Edward  de  Courcy — 
the  acknowledgment  of  his  grandson  by  Admiral  de  Courcy 
on  his  deathbed — the  account  of  Adams — his  death — the 
boy  being  sent  away  in  a  prize,  and  drowned  at  sea.  "  I 
have  all  the  particulars  in  writing,"  continued  the  good  man, 
"  and  the  necessary  documents ;  and  his  identity  was  easy  to 
be  proved  by  the  mark  of  the  broad-arrow  imprinted  on  his 
shoulder  by  old  Adams." 

"  Heavens  !  is  it  possible  ?  "  exclaimed  M'Elvina,  grasping 
the  arm  of  the  vicar. 

What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

Mean  !     I  mean  that  the  boy  is  alive — has  been  in  your 
company  within  the  last  two  years." 

•  That  boy  ?  " 

;  Yes,  that  boy — that  boy  is  William  Seymour." 

'  Merciful  God  !  how  inscrutable  are  Thy  ways  !  "  exclaimed 
the  vicar,  with  astonishment  and  reverence.  "Explain  tome, 
my  dear  sir — how  can  you  establish  your  assertion  ?  " 

If  the  reader  will  refer  back  to  the  circumstance  of  the 

vicar  calling  upon  Captain  M ,  he  will  observe  that,  upon 

being  made  acquainted  with  the  loss  of  the  child,  he  was  so 
much  shocked  that  he  withdrew  without  imparting  the  par- 
ticulars to  one  who  was  a  perfect  stranger ;  and,  on  the  other 
hand,  Captain  M ,  when  Seymour  again  made  his  appear- 
ance, after  an  interval  of  three  years,  not  having  been  put  in 
possession  of  these  facts,  or  even  knowing  the  vicar's  address 
341 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

or  name,  had  no  means  of  communicating  the  intelligence  of 
the  boy's  recovery. 

"  I  must  now,  sir,"  said  M'Elvina  to  the  vicar,  "  return  the 
confidence  which  you  have  placed  in  me,  under  the  same 
promise  of  secrecy,  by  making  you  acquainted  with  some 
particulars  of  my  former  life,  at  which  I  acknowledge  I  have 
reason  to  blush,  and  which  nothing  but  the  interests  of 
William  Seymour  would  have  induced  me  to  disclose." 

M'Elvina  then  acknowledged  his  having  formerly  been 
engaged  in  smuggling — his  picking  up  the  boy  from  the 
wreck — his  care  of  him  for  three  years — the  capture  of  his 

vessel  by  Captain  M ,  and  the  circumstances  that  had 

induced  Captain  M to  take  the  boy  under  his  protection. 

The  mark  was  as  legible  as  ever,  and  there  could  be  no  doubt 
of  his  identity  being  satisfactorily  established. 

The  vicar  listened  to  the  narration  with  the  interest  which 
it  deserved,  and  acknowledged  his  conviction  of  the  clearness 
of  the  evidence  by  observing — 

"This  will  be  a  heavy  blow  to  our  dear  Emily." 

"Not  a  very  heavy  one,  I  imagine,"  replied  M'Elvina,  who 
immediately  i*elieved  the  mind  of  the  worthy  man  by  com- 
municating the  attachment  between  them,  and  the  honour- 
able behaviour  of  Seymour. 

"  How  very  strange  this  is  !  "  replied  the  vicar.  "  It  really 
would  be  a  good  subject  for  a  novel.  I  only  trust  that,  like 
all  inventions  of  the  kind,  it  may  end  as  happily." 

"I  trust  so  too;  but  let  us  now  consider  what  must  be 
done." 

"  I  should  advise  his  being  sent  for  immediately." 

"  And  so  should  I ;  but  I  expect,  from  the  last  accounts 
which  I  received  from  him,  that  the  ship  will  have  left  her 
station  to  return  home  before  our  letters  can  arrive  there. 
My  plan  is,  to  keep  quiet  until  his  return.  The  facts  are 
known,  and  can  be  established  by  us  alone.  Let  us  imme- 
diately take  such  precautions  as  our  legal  advisers  may  think 
requisite,  that  proofs  may  not  be  wanting  in  case  of  our 
sudden  demise ;  but  we  must  not  act  until  he  arrives  in  the 
country,  for  Mr.  Rainscourt  is  a  difficult  and  dangerous  person 
to  deal  with." 

"  You  are  right,"  replied  the  vicar.  "  When  do  you  leave 
this  for  Ireland  ?  " 

S42 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  In  a  few  days,  but  I  shall  be  ready  to  appear  the  moment 
that  I  hear  of  the  ship's  arrival.  In  the  meantime,  I  shall 
make  the  necessary  affidavits,  in  case  of  accident." 

M'Elvina  and  the  vicar  separated.  M'Elvina,  like  a  dutiful 
husband,  communicated  the  joyful  intelligence  to  his  wife, 
and  his  wife,  to  soothe  Emily  under  her  affliction,  although 
she  kept  the  secret,  now  talked  of  Seymour.  In  a  few  days 
the  arrangements  were  made — the  cottage  was  put  into  an 
agent's  hands  to  be  disposed  of;  and  quitting  with  regret 
an  abode  in  which  they  had  passed  some  years  of  unalloyed 
happiness,  they  set  off  for  Galway,  where  they  found  Rains- 
court  on  their  arrival.  Consigning  his  daughter  to  his  care, 
they  removed  to  their  own  house,  which  was  on  the  property 
which  M'Elvina  had  purchased,  and  about  four  miles  distant 
from  the  castle.  M'Elvina's  name  was  a  passport  to  the 
hearts  of  his  tenants,  who  declared  that  the  head  of  the 
house  had  come  unto  his  own  again.  That  he  had  the  true 
eye  of  the  M'Elvinas  there  was  no  mistaking,  for  no  other 
family  had  such  an  eye.  That  his  honour  had  gladdened 
their  hearts  by  seeing  the  property  into  the  ould  family 
again — as  ould  a  one  as  any  in  ould  Ireland. 

M'Elvina,  like  a  wise  man,  held  his  tongue  ;  and  then  they 
talked  of  their  misfortunes — of  the  bad  potato  crop — of 
arrears  of  rent — one  demand  was  heaped  upon  another, 
until  M'Elvina  was  ultimately  obliged  to  refer  them  all  to 
the  agent,  whom  he  requested  to  be  as  lenient  as  possible. 

Emily  was  now  reinstated  in  the  castle  where  she  had 
passed  the  first  years  of  her  existence,  and  found  that  all 
in  it  was  new,  except  her  old  nurse,  Norah.  The  contiguity 
of  the  M'Elvinas  was  a  source  of  comfort  to  her,  for  she  could 
not  admire  the  dissipated  companions  of  her  father.  Her 
life  was  solitary;  but  she  had  numerous  resources  within 
herself,  and  the  winter  passed  rapidly  away. 

In  the  spring  she  returned  to  London  with  her  father, 
who  proudly  introduced  his  daughter.  Many  were  the  solici- 
tations of  those  who  admired  her  person,  or  her  purse.  But 
in  vain  :  her  heart  was  pre-engaged  ;  and  it  was  with  pleasure 
that  she  returned  to  Ireland^  after  the  season  was  over,  to 
renew  her  intimacy  with  the  M'Elvinas,  and  to  cherish,  in 
her  solitude,  the  remembrance  of  the  handsome  and  high- 
minded  William  Seymour. 

343 


THE  KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER   LI 

And  now,  with  sails  declined, 
The  wandering  vessel  drove  before  the  wind  ; 
Tossed  and  retossed  aloft,  and  then  alow ; 
Nor  port  they  seek,  nor  certain  course  they  know, 
But  every  moment  wait  the  coming  blow. 

£>BYDEN. 

.1  HREE  days  after  the  Aspasia  had  taken  a  fresh  departure 
from  the  Western  Isles,  a  thick  fog  came  on,  the  continuance 
of  which  prevented  them  from  ascertaining  their  situation  by 
the  chronometer.  The  wind,  which  blew  favourably  from  the 
south-east,  had  by  their  dead  reckoning  driven  them  as  far 
north  as  the  latitude  of  Ushant,  without  their  once  having 
had  an  opportunity  of  finding  out  the  precise  situation  of 
the  frigate.  The  wind  now  shifted  more  to  the  eastward, 

and  increasing  to  a  gale,  Captain  M determined  upon 

making  Cape  Clear,  on  the  southern  coast  of  Ireland  ;  but 
having  obtained  sights  for  the  chronometers,  it  was  discovered 
that  they  were  far  to  the  westward  of  the  reckoning,  and  had 
no  chance  of  making  the  point  of  land  which  they  had  in- 
tended. For  many  days  they  had  to  contend  against  strong 
easterly  gales,  with  a  heavy  sea,  and  had  sought  shelter  under 
the  western  coast  of  Ireland. 

The  weather  moderating,  and  the  wind  veering  again  to 
the  southward,  the  frigate's  head  was  put  towards  the  shore, 
that  they  might  take  a  fresh  departure ;  but  scarcely  had 
they  time  to  congratulate  themselves  upon  the  prospect  of 
-soon  gaining  a  port,  when  there  was  every  appearance  of 
another  gale  coming  on  from  the  south-west.  As  this  was 
from  a  quarter  which,  in  all  probability,  would  scarcely  allow 
the  frigate  to  weather  Mizen-head,  she  was  hauled  off  on 
the  larboard  tack,  and  all  sail  put  on  her  which  prudence 
would  permit  in  the  heavy  cross  sea,  which  had  not  yet 
subsided. 

"  We  shall  have  it  all  back  again,  I  am  afraid,  sir,"  observed 
the  master,  looking  to  windward  at  the  horizon,  which,  black 
as  pitch,  served  as  a  background  to  relieve  the  white  curling 
344 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

tops  of  the  seas.     "  Shall  we  have  the  trysails  up,  and  bend 
them  ?  " 

"The  boatswain  is  down  after  them  now,  Pearce,"  said  the 
first  lieutenant. 

"  The  weather  is  indeed  threatening,"  replied  the  captain, 
as  he  turned  from  the  weather  gangway,  where  he  had  been 
standing,  and  wiped  the  spray  from  his  face,  with  which  the 
atmosphere  was  charged  ;  "  and  I  perceive  that  the  glass  is 
very  low.  Send  the  small  sails  down  out  of  the  tops ;  as  soon 
as  the  staysail  is  on  her,  lower  the  gaff,  and  furl  the  spanker ; 
the  watch  will  do.  When  we  go  to  quarters,  we'll  double- 
breech  the  guns.  Let  the  carpenter  have  his  tarpaulins  ready 
for  battening  down  ;  send  for  the  boatswain,  and  let  the  boats 
on  the  booms  be  well  secured.  Is  that  eight  bells  striking  ? 
Then  pipe  to  supper  first ;  and,  Mr.  Hardy,"  added  Captain 

M ,  as  he  descended  the  companion-ladder.  "  they  may 

as  well  hook  the  rolling-tackles  again." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  replied  Hardy,  as  the  captain  disappeared. 
"  I  say,  master,  the  skipper  don't  like  it ;  I'll  swear  that  by 
his  look  as  he  turned  from  the  gangway.  He  was  as  stern 
as  the  figure-head  of  the  Mars." 

"That's  just  his  way  ;  if  even  the  elements  threaten  him, 
he  returns  the  look  of  defiance." 

"He  does  so,"  replied  the  master,  who  appeared  to  be 
unusually  grave  (as  if  in  sad  presentiment  of  evil).  "  I've 
watched  him  often. — But  it's  no  use — they  mind  but  one." 

"  Very  true — neither  can  you  conciliate  them  by  smiling  ; 
the  only  way  to  look  is  to  look  sharp  out.  Eh,  master  ?  " 
said  the  first  lieutenant,  slapping  him  familiarly  on  the  back. 

"  Come,  no  skylarking,  Hardy  ;  it's  easy  to  tell  the  skipper 
isn't  on  deck.  I  expect  as  much  sleep  to-night  as  a  dog  vane 
- — these  south-westers  generally  last  their  three  days." 

"  I  am  glad  to  hear  that,"  said  Merrick,  a  youngster  with 
an  oval  laughing  face,  who,  being  a  favourite  with  both  the 
officers,  had  ventured  to  the  weather-side  of  the  quarter-deck 
in  the  absence  of  the  captain. 

"  And  why,  Mr.  Merrick  ?  "  inquired  the  master. 

"  Oh,  it's  my  morning  watch  to-morrow.  We  shall  be  all 
snug ;  no  sails  to  trim,  no  sails  to  set,  and  no  holystoning  the 
deck— nothing  to  do  but  to  keep  myself  warm  under  the 
weather  bulwarks." 

345 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Ah,  you  idle  scamp/'  said  the  first  lieutenant,  smiling. 

"  So,  young  man,  you  Avish  us  to  be  on  deck  all  night,  that 
you  may  have  nothing  to  do  in  the  morning.  The  day  will 
come  when  you  will  know  what  responsibility  is,"  retorted 
Pearce. 

"  If  you're  up  all  night,  sir,"  replied  the  boy,  laughing, 
"you'll  want  a  cup  of  coffee  in  the  morning  watch.  I  shall 
come  in  for  my  share  of  that,  you  know." 

"  Ah,  well,  it's  an  ill  wind  that  blows  nobody  good,"  ob- 
served Pearce  ;  "  but  you  are  young  to  be  selfish." 

"  Indeed,  I  am  not  selfish,  sir,"  replied  the  boy,  hurt  at 
the  rebuke  from  one  who  had  been  kind  to  him,  and  to  whom 
he  was  attached.  "  I  was  only  joking.  I  only  meant,"  con- 
tinued he,  feeling  deeply,  but  not  at  the  moment  able  to 
describe  his  feelings — "  I  only  said — oh  !  d — n  the  coffee." 

"  And  now  you  are  only  swearing,  I  suppose,"  replied  the 
master. 

"  Well,  it's  enough  to  make  a  saint  swear  to  be  accused  of 
being  selfish,  and  by  you  too." 

"  Well,  well,  youngster,  there's  enough  of  it — you  spoke 
without  thinking.  Go  down  to  your  tea  now,  and  you  shall 
have  your  share  of  the  coffee  to-morrow,  if  there  is  any." 

After  supper  the  watch  was  called,  and  the  directions  given 
by  the  captain  to  the  first  lieutenant  were  punctually  obeyed. 
The  drum  then  beat  to  quarters  earlier  than  usual ;  the  guns 
were  doubly  secured ;  the  dead-lights  shipped  abaft ;  the 
number  of  inches  of  water  in  the  well  made  known  by  the 
carpenter  ;  the  sobriety  of  the  men  ascertained  by  the  officers 
stationed  at  their  respective  guns  ;  and  everything  that  was 
ordered  to  be  executed,  or  to  be  held  in  readiness,  in  the 
several  departments,  reported  to  the  captain. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Hardy,  we'll  make  her  all  snug  for  the  night. 
Furl  the  fore  and  mizen  topsail,  and  close-reef  the  main-— 
that,  with  the  foresail,  fore-staysail,  and  trysail,  will  be  enough 
for  her." 

"  Had  we  not  better  reef  the  foresail,  sir  ?  "  said  Pearce. 
"  I  suspect  we  shall  have  to  do  it  before  twelve  o'clock,  if  we 
do  not  now." 

"  Very  right,  Mr.  Pearce  ;  we  will  do  so.  Is  the  main- 
trysail  bent  ?  " 

"  All  bent,  sir,  and  the  sheet  aft." 
346 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"Then  beat  a  retreat,  and  turn  the  hands  up — shorten  sail." 

This  duty  was  performed,  and  the  hammocks  piped  down 
as  the  last  glimmering  of  daylight  disappeared. 

The  gale  increased  rapidly  during  the  first  watch.  Large 
drops  of  rain  mingled  with  the  spray,  distant  thunder  rolled  to 
windward,  and  occasional  gleams  of  lightning  pierced  through 
the  intense  darkness  of  the  night.  The  officers  and  men  of 
the  watches  below,  with  sealed  eyes  and  thoughtless  hearts, 
were  in  their  hammocks,  trusting  to  those  on  deck  for  security. 
But  the  night  was  terrific,  and  the  captain,  first  lieutenant, 
and  master,  from  the  responsibility  of  their  situations,  con- 
tinued on  deck,  as  did  many  of  the  officers  termed  idlers,  such 
as  the  surgeon  and  purser,  who,  although  their  presence  was 
not  required,  felt  no  inclination  to  sleep.  By  four  o'clock  in 
the  morning  the  gale  was  at  its  height.  The  lightning  darted 
through  the  sky  in  every  direction,  and  the  thunder-claps  for 
the  time  overpowered  the  noise  of  the  wind  as  it  roared 
through  the  shrouds.  The  sea,  striking  on  the  fore-channels, 
was  thrown  aft  with  violence  over  the  quarter-deck  and  waist 
of  the  ship,  as  she  laboured  through  the  agitated  sea. 

"  If  this  lasts  much  longer  we  must  take  the  foresail  off 
of  her,  and  give  her  the  main-staysail,"  said  Hardy  to  the 
master. 

"We  must,  indeed,"  replied  the  captain,  who  was  standing 
by  them ;  "  but  the  day  is  breaking.  Let  us  wait  a  little — 
ease  her,  quartermaster." 

"  Ease  her  it  is,  sir." 

At  daylight,  the  gale  having  rather  increased  than  shown 
any  symptoms  of  abating,  the  captain  was  giving  directions 
for  the  foresail  to  be  taken  off,  when  the  seaman  who  was 
stationed  to  look  out  on  the  lee-gangway  cried  out,  "  A  sail 
on  the  lee-beam  !  " 

"A  sail  on  the  lee-beam,  sir  !"  reported  the  officer  of  the 
watch  to  the  captain,  as  he  held  on  by  a  rope  Avith  one  hand, 
and  touched  his  hat  with  the  other. 

"  Here,  youngster,  tell  the  sentry  at  the  cabin  door  to  give 

you  my  deck  glass,"  said  Captain  M to  Merrick,  who  was 

one  of  the  midshipmen  of  the  morning  watch. 

"She's  a  large  ship,  sir — main  and  mizen  masts  both  gone," 
reported  Hardy,  who  had  mounted  up  three  or  four  ratlines  cf 
the  main-rigging. 

347 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

The  midshipman  brought  up  the  glass;  and  the  captain, 
first  passing  his  arm  round  the  fore-brace  to  secure  himself 
from  falling  to  leeward  with  the  lurching  of  the  ship,  as  soon 
as  he  could  bring  the  strange  vessel  into  the  field  of  the  glass 
exclaimed,  "  A  line-of-battle  ship,  by  Heavens !  and  if  I  am 
any  judge  of  a  hull,  or  the  painting  of  a  ship,  she  is  no  English- 
man." Other  glasses  were  now  produced,  and  the  opinion  of 
the  captain  was  corroborated  by  that  of  the  officers  on  deck. 

"  Keep  fast  the  foresail,  Mr.  Hardy.  We'll  edge  down  to 
her.  Quartermaster,  see  the  signal  halyards  all  clear." 

The  captain  went  down  to  his  cabin,  while  the  frigate  was 
kept  away  as  he  directed,  the  master  standing  at  the  conn. 
He  soon  came  up  again :  "  Hoist  No.  3  at  the  fore,  and  No.  8 
at  the  main.  We'll  see  if  she  can  answer  the  privatfe  signal." 

It  was  done,  and  the  frigate,  rolling  heavily  in  the  trough 
of  the  sea,  and  impelled  by  the  furious  elements,  rapidly 
closed  with  the  stranger.  In  less  than  an  hour  they  were 
within  half  a  mile  of  her  ;  but  the  private  signal  remained 
unanswered. 

"  Now  then,  bring  her  to  the  wind,  Mr.  Pearce,"  said  Captain 
M ,  who  had  his  glass  upon  the  vessel. 

The  frigate  was  luffed  handsomely  to»the  wind,  not  however 
without  shipping  a  heavy  sea.  The  gale,  which  during  the 
time  that  she  was  kept  away  before  the  wind  had  the  appear- 
ance, which  it  always  has,  of  having  decreased  in  force,  now 
that  she  presented  her  broadside  to  it  roared  again  in  all 
its  fury. 

"  Call  the  gunner — clear  away  the  long  gun  forward — try 
with  the  rammer  whether  the  shot  has  started  from  the  cart- 
ridge, and  then  fire  across  the  bows  of  that  vessel." 

The  men  cast  loose  the  gun,  and  the  gunner,  taking  out  the 
bed  and  coin  to  obtain  the  greatest  elevation  to  counteract 
the  heel  of  the  frigate,  watched  the  lurch,  and  pitched  the 
shot  close  to  the  forefoot  of  the  disabled  vessel,  who  immedi- 
ately showed  French  colours  over  her  weather-quarter. 

"  French  colours,  sir  ! "  cried  two  or  three  at  a  breath. 

"  Beat  to  quarters,  Mr.  Hardy,"  said  Captain  M . 

"  Shall  we  cast  loose  the  main-deck  guns  ?  " 

"  No,  no — that  will  be  useless  ;  we  shall  not  be  able  to  fire 
them,  and  we  may  have  them  through  the  sides.  We'll  try 
her  with  the  carronades." 

348 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

It  was  easy  to  perceive,  without  the  assistance  of  a  glass, 
that  the  men  on  board  the  French  line-of-battle  ship  were 
attempting,  in  no  very  scientific  manner,  to  get  a  jury-mast  up 
abaft,  that  by  putting  after-sail  on  her  they  might  keep  their 
vessel  to  the  \vrind.  The  foresail  they  dared  not  take  off,  as 
without  any  sail  to  keep  her  steady,  the  remaining  mast  would 
in  all  probability  have  rolled  over  the  side ;  but  without  after- 
sail  the  ship  would  not  keep  to  the  wind,  and  the  consequence 
was,  that  she  was  two  points  off  the  wind,  forging  fast  through 
the  water,  notwithstanding  that  the  helm  was  hard  a-lee. 

"  Where  are  we  now,  Mr.  Pearce  ?  "  interrogated  the  cap- 
tain— "  about  eight  or  nine  leagues  from  the  land  ?" 

"  Say  seven  leagues,  sir,  if  you  please,"  replied  the  master, 
"  until  I  can  give  you  an  exact  answer,"  and  he  descended 
the  companion-ladder  to  work  up  his  reckoning. 

"  She's  leaving  us,  Mr.  Hardy ;  keep  more  away,  and  run 
abreast  of  her.  Now,  my  lads,  watch  the  weather  roll — round 
and  grape — don't  throw  a  shot  away — aim  at  the  quarter-deck 
ports.  If  we  can  prevent  her  from  getting  up  her  jury-masts, 
she  is  done  for." 

"  As  for  the  matter  of  that,"  said  the  quartermaster,  who 
was  captain  of  one  of  the  quarter-deck  guns,  "  we  might  save 
our  shot.  They  haven't  nous  enough  to  get  them  up  if  left 
all  to  themselves — however,  here's  a  slap  at  her." 

The  frigate  had  now  closed  within  three  cables'  length  of 
the  line-of-battle  ship,  and  considering  the  extreme  difficulty 
of  hitting  any  mark  under  such  disadvantages,  a  well-directed 
fire  was  thrown  in  by  her  disciplined  seamen.  The  enemy 
attempted  to  return  the  fire  from  the  weather  main-deck  guns, 
but  it  was  a  service  of  such  difficulty  and  danger,  that  he  more 
than  once  abandoned  it.  Two  or  three  guns  disappearing  from 
the  ports,  proved  that  they  had  either  rolled  to  leeward,  or 
had  been  precipitated  down  the  hatchways.  This  was  indeed 
the  case,  and  the  French  sailors  were  so  much  alarmed  from 
the  serious  disasters  that  had  already  ensued,  that  they  either 
quitted  their  quarters,  or,  afraid  to  stand  behind  the  guns  when 
they  were  fired,  no  aim  was  taken,  and  the  shots  were  thrown 
away.  Had  the  two  ships  been  equally  manned,  the  disadvan- 
tage, under  all  the  misfortunes  of  the  Frenchman,  would  have 
been  on  the  side  of  the  frigate  ;  but  the  gale  itself  was  more 
than  sufficient  employment  for  the  undisciplined  crew  of  the 
349 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

Kne-of-battle  ship.  The  fire  from  the  frigate  was  kept  up 
with  vigour,  although  the  vessel  lurched  so  heavily,  as  often 
to  throw  the  men  who  were  stationed  at  the  guns  into  the 
lee  scuppers,  rolling  one  over  the  other  in  the  water  with  which 
the  decks  were  floated  ;  but  this  was  only  a  subject  of  merri- 
ment, and  they  resumed  their  task  with  the  careless  spirit  of 
British  seamen.  The  fire,  difficult  as  it  was  to  take  any  precise 
aim,  had  the  effect  intended,  that  of  preventing  the  French 
vessel  from  rigging  anything  like  a  jury-mast.  Occasionally 
the  line-of-battle  ship  kept  more  away,  to  avoid  the  grape,  by 
increasing  her  distance ;  but  the  frigate's  course  was  regu- 
lated by  that  of  her  opponent,  and  she  continued  her  galling 
pursuit. 


CHAPTER  LII 

Heaven's  loud  artillery  began  to  play, 
And  wrath  divine  in  dreadful  peals  convey  ; 
)  Darkness  and  raging  winds  their  terrors  join, 

And  btorms  of  rain  with  storms  of  fire  combine. 
Some  run  ashore  upon  the  shoaly  land. 

BLACXMORE. 

J_T  was  no  time  for  man  to  war  against  man.  The  powers  of 
Heaven  were  loose,  and  in  all  their  fury.  The  wind  howled, 
the  sea  raged,  the  thunder  stunned,  and  the  lightning  blinded. 
The  Eternal  was  present  in  all  His  majesty  ;  yet  pigmy  mortals 

were  contending.     But  Captain  M was  unmoved,  unawed, 

unchecked  ;  and  the  men,  stimulated  by  his  example,  and  care- 
less of  everything,  heeded  not  the  warring  of  the  elements. 

"  Sit  on  your  powder-box  and  keep  it  dry,  you  young 
monkey,"  said  the  quartermaster,  who  was  captain  of  the  gun, 
to  the  lad  who  had  the  cartridge  ready  for  reloading  it.  The 
fire  upon  the  French  vessel  was  warmly  kept  up,  when  the 
master  again  came  on  deck,  and  stated  to  the  captain  that 
they  could  not  be  more  than  four  leagues  from  a  dead  lee- 
shore,  which,  by  keeping  away  after  the  French  vessel,  they 
must  be  nearing  fast. 

"  She  cannot  stand  this  long,  sir.     Look  to  windward — the 
gale  increases — there  is  a  fresh  hand  at  the  'bellows.'  " 
350 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

The  wind  now  redoubled  its  fury,  and  the  rain,  that  took  a 
horizontal  instead  of  a  perpendicular  direction  from  the  force 
of  the  wind,  fed  the  gale  instead  of  lulling  it.  The  thunder 
rolled ;  and  the  frigate  was  so  drenched  with  water,  that  the 
guns  were  primed  and  reprimed,  without  the  fire  communicat- 
ing to  the  powder,  which  in  a  few  seconds  was  saturated  with, 
the  rain  and  spray.  This  was  but  of  little  consequence,  as 
the  squall  and  torrents  of  rain  had  now  hid  the  enemy  from 
their  sight.  "  Look  out  for  her,  my  men,,  as  soon  as  the  squall 
passes  over,"  cried  Captain  M — — . 

A  flash  of  lightning,  that  blinded  them  for  a  time,  was  fol- 
lowed by  a  peal  of  thunder,  so  close  that  the  timbers  of  the 
ship  trembled  with  the  vibration  of  the  air.  A  second  hostile 
meeting  of  electricity  took  place,  and  the  fluid  darted  down 
the  side  of  the  frigate's  mainmast,  passing  through  the  quarter- 
deck in  the  direction  of  the  powder  magazine.  Captain  M , 

the  first  lieutenant,  master,  and  fifty  or  sixty  of  the  men  were 
struck  down  by  the  violence  of  the  shock.  Many  were  killed, 
more  wounded,  and  the  rest,  blinded  and  stunned,  staggered 
and  fell  to  leeward  with  the  lurching  of  the  vessel.  Gradually 
those  who  were  only  stunned  recovered  their  legs,  and  amongst 
the  first  was  the  captain  of  the  frigate.  As  soon  as  he  could 
recall  his  scattered  senses,  with  his  usual  presence  of  mind  lie 
desired  the  "fire-roll"  to  be  beat  by  the  drummer,  and  sent 
down  to  ascertain  the  extent  of  the  mischief.  A  strong  sul- 
phureous smell  pervaded  the  ship,  and  flew  up  the  hatchways  ; 
and  such  was  the  confusion,  that  some  minutes  elapsed  before 
any  report  could  be  made.  It  appeared  that  the  electric  fluid 
had  passed  close  to  the  spirit-room  and  after-magazine,  and 
escaped  through  the  bottom  of  the  vessel.  Before  the  report 
had  been  made,  the  captain  had  given  directions  for  taking 
the  wounded  down  to  the  surgeon,  and  the  bodies  of  the  dead 
under  the  half-deck.  The  electric  matter  had  divided  at  the 
foot  of  the  mainmast,  to  which  it  had  done  no  injury  ;  one 
part,  as  before  mentioned,  having  gone  below,  while  the  other, 
striking  the  iron  bolt  that  connected  the  lower  part  of  the 
main-bitts,  had  thence  passed  to  the  two  foremast  quarter-deck 
carronades,  firing  them  both  off  at  the  same  moment  that  it 
killed  and  wounded  the  men  who  were  stationed  at  them. 
The  effects  of  the  lightning  were  various.  The  men  who  were 
close  to  the  foot  of  the  mainmast,  holding  on  by  the  ropes 
351 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

belayed  to  the  main-bitts,  were  burnt  to  a  cinder,  and  their 
blackened  corpses  lay  smoking  in  the  remnants  of  their  clothes, 
emitting  an  overpowering  ammoniacal  stench.  Some  were 
only  wounded  in  the  arm  or  leg ;  but  the  scathed  member 
was  shrivelled  up,  and  they  were  borne  down  the  hatchway, 
howling  with  intolerable  pain.  The  most  awful  effects  were 
at  the  guns.  The  captains  of  the  two  carronades,  and  several 
men  that  were  near  them,  were  dead  ;  but  had  not  the  equi- 
poise of  the  bodies  been  lost  by  the  violent  motion  of  the  ship, 
their  dreadful  fate  would  not  have  been  immediately  perceived. 
Not  an  injury  appeared — every  muscle  was  fixed  to  the  same 
position  as  when  the  fluid  entered — the  same  expression  of 
countenance,  the  eye  like  life  as  it  watched  the  sight  on  the 
gun,  the  body  bent  forward,  the  arm  extended,  the  fingers  still 
holding  the  lanyard  attached  to  the  lock.  Nothing  but  pal- 
pable evidence  could  convince  one  that  they  were  dead. 

The  boy  attending  with  his  powder-box,  upon  which  he 
had  sat  by  the  directions  of  the  captain  of  the  gun,  was  de- 
sired by  Captain  M to  jump  up  and  assist  the  men  in 

carrying  down  the  wounded.  He  sat  still  on  his  box,  sup- 
ported between  the  capstan  and  the  stanchions  of  the  com- 
panion hatchway,  his  eyes  apparently  fixed  upon  the  captain, 
but  not  moving  in  obedience  to  the  order,  although  repeated 
in  an  angry  tone.  He  was  dead  1 

During  the  confusion  attending  this  catastrophe,  the  guns 
had  been  deserted.  As  soon  as  the  wounded  men  had  been 
taken  below,  the  captain  desired  the  boatswain  to  pipe  to 
quarters,  for  the  drummer  when  called  to  beat  the  "fire-roll  " 
had  been  summoned  to  his  last  account.  The  guns  were 
again  manned,  and  the  firing  recommenced ;  but  a  want  of 
energy,  and  the  melancholy  silence  which  prevailed,  evidently 
showed  that  the  men,  although  they  obeyed,  did  not  obey 
cheerfully. 

"Another  pull  of  the  fore-staysail,  Mr.  Hardsett,"  cried 
Captain  M through  his  speaking-trumpet. 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir — clap  on  him,  my  lads,"  replied  the  boatswain, 
holding  his  call  between  his  teeth,  as  he  lent  the  assistance  of 
his  powerful  frame  to  the  exertions  of  the  men.  The  sheet  was 
aft,  and  belayed,  and  the  boatswain  indulged  in  muttered  quota- 
tions from  the  Scriptures :  "  He  bringeth  forth  the  clouds 
from  the  ends  of  the  world,  and  sendeth  forth  lightnings, 
352 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

with  rain ;  bringing  the  winds  out  of  His  treasuries.  He  smote 
the  first-born  of  Egypt." 

The  first  lieutenant  and  master  were  in  close  consultation  to 
windward.  The  captain  stood  at  the  lee-gangway,  occasionally 
desiring  the  quartermaster  at  the  conn  to  alter  the  course, 
regulating  his  own  by  that  of  his  disabled  enemy. 

"  I'll  speak  to  him,  then,"  exclaimed  Pearce,  as  the  con- 
ference broke  up,  and  he  went  over  to  leeward  to  the  captain. 

"  Captain  M ,  I  have  had  the  honour  to  serve  under  you,- 

command  some  time,  and  I  trust  you  will  allow  that  I  have 
never  shown  any  want  of  zeal  in  the  discharge  of  my 
duty  ?  " 

"  No,  Mr.  Pearce,"  replied  the  captain,  with  a  grave  smile  ; 
"without  compliment,  you  never  have." 

"  Then,  sir,  you  will  not  be  affronted  at,  or  ascribe  to  un- 
worthy motives,  a  remark  which  I  wish  to  make  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly  not ;  as  I  am  persuaded  that  you  will  never 
make  any  observation  inconsistent  with  your  duty,  or  infringing 
upon  the  rules  of  the  service." 

"  Then,  sir,  with  all  due  submission  to  you,  I  do  think,  and 
it  is  the  opinion  of  the  other  officers  as  well,  that  our  present 
employment,  under  existing  circumstances,  is  tempting,  if  not 
insulting,  the  Almighty.  Look  at  the  sky,  look  at  the  raging 
sea,  hear  the  wind,  and  call  to  mind  the  effects  of  the  lightning 
not  one  half-hour  since.  When  the  Almighty  appears  in  all  His 
wrath,  in  all  His  tremendous  majesty,  is  it  a  time  for  us  poor 
mortals  to  be  at  strife  ?  What  is  our  feeble  artillery,  what  is  the 
roar  of  our  cannon,  compared  to  the  withering  and  consuming 
artillery  of  Heaven  ?  Has  He  not  told  us  so  ?  and  do  not 
the  ship's  company,  by  their  dispirited  conduct  since  the  vessel 
was  struck,  acknowledge  it  ?  The  officers  all  feel  it,  sir.  Is 
it  not  presumptuous — with  all  due  submission,  sir,  is  it  not 
wicked?" 

"  I  respect  your  feelings  as  a  Christian  and  as  a  man," 

replied  Captain  M ;  "but  I  must  differ  with  you.  That 

the  Almighty  power  appears,  I  grant ;  and  I  feel,  as  you  do, 
that  God  is  great,  and  man  weak  and  impotent.  But  that 
this  storm  has  been  raised — that  this  thunder  rolls — that  this 
lightning  has  blasted  us,  as  a  warning,  I  deny.  The  causes 
emanate  from  the  Almighty ;  but  He  leaves  the  effects  to 
the  arrangements  of  Nature,  which  is  governed  by  imniut- 
353  z 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

able  laws.  Had  there  been  no  other  vessel  in  sight,  this 
lightning  would  still  have  struck  us ;  and  this  storm  will  not 
cease,  even  if  we  were  to  neglect  what  I  consider  a  duty  to 
our  country." 

The  master  touched  his  hat  and  made  no  answer.  It  was 
now  about  one  o'clock,  and  the  horizon  to  leeward,  clearing  up 
a  little,  showed  the  land  upon  the  lee-beam. 

"  Land  ho  ! "  cried  one  of  the  men. 

"  Indeed,"  observed  the  captain  to  the  master ;  "  we  are 
nearer  than  you  thought." 

"  Something,  sir,  perhaps  ;  but  recollect  how  many  hours  you 
have  kept  away  after  this  vessel." 

"Very  true,"  rejoined  the  captain;  "and  the  in-draught 
into  the  bargain.  I  am  not  surprised  at  it." 

"Shall  we  haul  our  wind,  sir?  we  are  on  a- dead  lee- 
shore." 

"  No,  Mr.  Pearce,  not  until  the  fate  of  that  vessel  is 
decided." 

"  Land  on  the  weather-bow ! "  reported  the  boatswain. 

"  Indeed  !  "  said  the  captain  ;  "  then  the  affair  will  soon  be 
decided." 

The  vessels  still  continued  their  course  in  a  slanting  direction 
towards  the  land,  pursuer  and  pursued  running  on  to  destruc- 
tion ;  but  although  various  indirect  hints  were  given  by  the 

first  lieutenant  and  others,  Captain  M turned  a  deaf  ear. 

He  surveyed  the  dangers  which  presented  themselves,  and 
frowned  upon  them,  as  if  in  defiance. 


CHAPTER  LIII 

An  universal  cry  resounds  aloud, 
The  sailors  run  in  heaps,  a  helpless  crowd  ; 
Art  fails,  and  courage  falls  ;  no  succour  near ; 
As  many  waves,  as  many  deaths  appear. 

OVID.     Drydcn's  Translation. 

ILOWEVER  we  may  be  inclined  to  extend  our  admiration 
to  the  feelings  of  self-devotion  which  governed  the  conduct 

of  Captain  M ,  it  cannot  be  a  matter  of  surprise  that  the 

35* 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

officers  of  the  frigate  did  not  coincide  with  his  total  indiffer- 
ence to  self  in  the  discharge  of  his  duty.  Murmur  they  did 
not ;  but  they  looked  at  each  other,  at  the  captain,  and  at 
the  perilous  situation  of  the  vessel  in  silence,  and  with  a 
restless  change  of  position  that  indicated  their  anxiety. 
Macallan  was  below  attending  to  the  wounded  men,  or  he 
would  probably  have  been  deputed  by  the  others  to  have 
remonstrated  with  the  captain.  A  few  minutes  more  had 
elapsed,  when  the  master  again  addressed  him. 

"  I  am  afraid,  sir,  if  we  continue  to  stand  on,  that  we  shall 
lose  the  frigate,"  said  he,  respectfully  touching  his  hat. 

"  Be  it  so,"  replied  Captain  M ;  "  the  enemy  will  lose 

a  line-of-battle  ship  ;  our  country  will  be  the  gainer  when  the 
account  is  balanced." 

"  I  must  be  permitted  to  doubt  that,  sir ;  the  value  of  the 
enemy's  ship  is  certainly  greater ;  but  there  are  other  con- 
siderations." 

"  What  are  they  ?  " 

"  The  value  of  the  respective  officers  and  ships'  companies, 
which  must  inevitably  share  the  fate  of  the  two  vessels.  The 
captain  of  that  ship  is  not  worth  his  salt.  It  would  be  politic 
to  let  him  live,  and  continue  to  command.  His  ship  witl 
always  be  ours,  when  we  want  it  ;  and  in  the  event  of  a 
general  action,  he  would  make  a  gap  in  the  enemy's  line 
which  might  prove  of  the  greatest  importance.  Now,  sir, 
without  drawing  the  parallel  any  further — without  taking 
into  consideration  the  value  of  the  respective  officers  and 
men — I  must  take  the  liberty  of  observing  that,  on  your 
account  alone,  England  will  be  no  gainer  by  the  loss  of  both 
vessels  and  crews." 

"Thank  you  for  the  compliment,  which,  as  it  is  only 
feather-weight,  I  will  allow  to  be  thrown  into  the  scale.  But 
I  do  not  agree  with  you.  I  consider  war  but  as  a  game  of 
chess,  and  will  never  hesitate  to  sacrifice  a  knight  for  a 
castle.  Provided  that  castle  is  lost,  Mr.  Pearce,"  continued 
the  captain,  pointing  to  the  French  vessel,  "  this  little 
frigate,  if  necessary,  shall  be  knight-errant  enough  to  bear 
her  company." 

"  Very  good,  sir,"  replied  Pearce,  again  touching  his  hat ; 
"  as  master  of  this  ship,  I  considered  it  my  duty  to  state  mjr 
opinion." 

355 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  You  have  done  your  duty,  Mr.  Pearce,  and  I  thank  you 
for  it ;  but  I  have  also  my  duties  to  perform.  One  of  them  is, 
not  to  allow  the  lives  of  one  ship's  company,  however  brave 
and  well-disciplined  (and  such  I  must  allow  to  be  the  one  I 
have  the  honour  to  command),  to  interfere  with  the  general 
interests  of  the  country  we  contend  for.  When  a  man  enters 
his  Majesty's  service,  his  life  is  no  longer  to  be  considered 
his  own ;  it  belongs  to  his  king  and  country,  and  is  at  their 
disposal.  If  we  are  lost,  there  will  be  no  great  difficulty  in 
collecting  another  ship's  company  in  old  England  as  brave 
and  as  good  as  this.  Officers  as  experienced  are  anxiously 
waiting  for  employment ;  and  the  Admiralty  will  have  no 
trouble  in  selecting  and  appointing  as  good,  if  not  a  better 
captain." 

The  contending  ships  were  now  about  two  cables'  length 
from  each  other,  with  a  high  rocky  coast,  lashed  with  a  tre- 
mendous surf,  about  three-quarters  of  a  mile  to  leeward.  The 
promontory  extended  about  two  points  on  the  weather-bow  of 
the  frigate,  and  a  low  sandy  tongue  of  land  spread  itself  far 
out  on  her  weather-quarter,  so  that  both  vessels  were  com- 
pletely embayed.  The  line-of-battle  ship  again  made  an 
attempt  to  get  up  some  after-sail ;  but  the  well-directed  fire 
of  the  frigate,  whenever  she  rose  on  the  tops  of  the  moun- 
tainous waves,  which  at  intervals  hid  the  hulls  of  both  vessels 
from  each  other,  drove  the  Frenchmen  from  their  task  of 
safety,  and  it  was  now  evident  that  all  command  of  her  was 
lost.  She  rolled  gunwale  under,  and  her  remaining  mast 
went  by  the  board. 

"Nothing  can  save  her  now,  sir,"  replied  the  master. 

" No,"  replied  the  captain  ;  "we  have  done  our  work,  and 
must  now  try  to  save  ourselves." 

"  Secure  the  guns — be  smart,  my  lads,  you  work  for  your 
lives.  We  must  put  the  mainsail  on  her,  Mr.  Pearce,  and 
claw  off  if  we  can." 

The  master  shook  his  head.  "  Hands  by  the  clue-garnets 
and  buntlines— man  the  mainsheet — let  go  those  leech-lines, 
youngster — haul  aboard." 

"  It's   a  pity,    too,   by   G — d,"  said  the    captain,  looking 

over  the  hammock-rails    at  the    French   vessel,   which  was 

now  running  before  the  wind  right  on  to  the  shore — "  eight 

or  nine   hundred   poor  devils   will   be   called  to  their  last 

356 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

account  in  the  course  of  a  few  minutes.  I  wish  we  could 
save  them." 

"You  should  have  thought  of  that  before,  sir/'  said  the 
master,  with  a  grave  smile  at  this  reaction  of  feeling  on  the 
part  of  the  captain.  "  Nothing  can  save  them,  and  I  am  afraid 
that  nothing  but  a  slant  of  wind  or  a  miracle  can  help  our- 
selves." 

"  She  has  struck,  sir,  and  is  over  on  her  broadside,"  said 
the  quartermaster,  who  was  standing  on  the  carronade 
slide. 

"  Mind  your  conn,  sir  ;  keep  your  eyes  on  the  weather-leech 
of  the  sail,  and  not  upon  that  ship,"  answered  the  captain, 
with  asperity. 

In  the  meantime  the  mainsail  had  been  set  by  the  first 
lieutenant,  and  the  crew,  unoccupied,  had  their  eyes  directed 
for  a  little  while  upon  the  French  vessel,  which  lay  on  her 
beam-ends,  enveloped  in  spray ;  but  they  also  perceived  what, 
during  the  occupation  and  anxiety  of  action,  they  had  not  had 
leisure  to  attend  to,  namely,  the  desperate  situation  of  their 
own  ship.  The  promontory  was  now  broad  on  the  weather 
bow,  and  a  reef  of  rocks,  partly  above  water,  extended  from  it 
to  leeward  of  the  frigate.  Such  was  the  anxiety  of  the  ship's 
company  for  their  own  safety,  that  the  eyes  of  the  men  were 
turned  away  from  the  stranded  vessel,  and  fixed  upon  the 
rocks.  The  frigate  did  all  that  a  gallant  vessel  could  do, 
rising  from  the  trough  of  the  sea,  and  shaking  the  water  from 
her,  as  she  was  occasionally  buried  forecastle  under,  from  the 
great  pressure  of  the  sail,  cleaving  the  huge  masses  of  the 
element  with  her  sharp  stem,  and  trembling  fore  and  aft  with 
the  violence  of  her  own  exertions.  But  the  mountainous  waves 
took  her  with  irresistible  force  from  her  chesstree,  retarding 
her  velocity,  and  forcing  her  each  moment  nearer  to  the 
reef. 

"  Wear  ship,  Mr.  Hardy,"  said  the  captain,  who  had  not 
spoken  one  word  since  he  rebuked  the  quartermaster ;  "  we 
have  but  just  room." 

The  master  directed  the  man  at  the  wheel  to  put  helm 
up  in  a  firm  but  subdued  tone,  for  he  was  at  that  moment 
thinking  of  his  wife  and  children.  The  ship  had  just 
paid  off  and  gathered  fresh  way,  when  she  struck  upon 
a  sunken  rock.  A  loud  and  piercing  cry  from  the  ship's 
357 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

company  was  followed  by  an  enormous  sea  striking  the 
frigate  on  the  counter,  at  once  heeling  her  over  and  forcing 
her  ahead,  so  that  she  slipped  off  from  the  rock  again  into 
deep  water. 

"  She's  off  again,  sir,"  said  the  master. 

"  It's  God's  mercy,  Mr.  Pearce  !  Bring  her  to  the  wind 
as  soon  as  you  can,"  replied  the  captain,  with  composure. 
But  the  carpenter  now  ran  up  the  hatchway,  and  with 
a  pallid  face  and  hurried  tone,  declared  that  the  ship  was 
filling  fast,  and  could  not  be  kept  afloat  more  than  a  few 
minutes. 

"  Going  down  ! — going  down  !  "  was  spread  with  dreadful 
rapidity  throughout  the  ship,  and  all  discipline  and  subordina- 
tion appeared  to  be  at  an  end. 

Some  of  the  men  flew  to  the  boats  hoisted  up  on  the  quarters, 
and  were  casting  loose  the  ropes  which  secured  them,  with 
hands  that  were  tremulous  with  anxiety  and  fear. 

"  Silence  there,  fore  and  aft ! "  roared  the  captain,  in  the  full 
compass  of  his  powerful  voice.  "  Every  man  to  his  station. 
Come  out  of  those  boats  directly." 

All  obeyed  except  one  man,  who  still  continued  to  cast 
loose  the  gripes. 

"  Come  out,  sir,"  repeated  the  captain. 

"  Not  I,  by  G — d  ! "  replied  the  sailor  coolly, 

The  boarding-pikes,  which  had  been  lashed  round  the 
spanker-boom,  had  been  detached,  either  from  the  shot  of 
the  enemy  or  some  other  means,  and  were  lying  on  the  deck 
close  to  the  cabin  skylight.  The  captain  seizing  one,  and 
poising  it  brandished  over  his  head,  a  third  time  ordered  the 
sailor  to  leave  the  boat. 

"  Every  man  for  himself,  and  God  for  us  all ! "  was  the  cool 
answer  of  the  refractory  seaman. 

The  pike  flew,  and  entered  the  man's  bowels  up  to  the 
hilt.  The  poor  wretch  staggered,  made  a  snatch  at  the  davit, 
missed  it,  and  fell  backwards  over  the  gunwale  of  the  boat 
iiito  the  sea. 

"  My  lads,"  said  Captain  M ,  emphatically  addressing 

the  men,  who  beheld  the  scene  with  dismay,  "  as  long  as  one 
plank,  ay,  one  toothpick,  of  this  vessel  swims,  I  command,  and 
will  be  obeyed.  Quartermaster,  put  the  helm  up.  I  have 
but  few  words  to  say  to  you,  my  men.  The  vessel  is  sinking, 
358 


"  The  Captain  a  third  time  ordered  the  sailor  to  leave  the  boat." 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

and  we  must  put  her  on  the  reef — boats  are  useless.  If  she 
hangs  together,  do  you  hang  to  her  as  your  only  chance.  And 
now  farewell,  my  brave  fellows,  for  we  are  not  all  likely  to 
meet  again.  Look  out  for  a  soft  place  for  her,  Mr.  Pearce,  if 
you  can." 

"  I  see  but  one  spot  where  there  is  the  least  chance  of  her 
being  thrown  up,  sir.  Starboard  a  little — steady  ! — so,"  were 
the  cool  directions  of  the  master,  as  the  ship  flew  with  increased 
velocity  to  her  doom.  The  captain  stood  on  the  carronade 
slide,  from  which  he  had  addressed  the  men.  His  mien  was 
firm  and  erect — not  a  muscle  of  his  countenance  was  observed 
to  change  or  move,  as  the  sailors  watched  it  as  the  barometer 
of  their  fate.  Awed  by  the  dreadful  punishment  of  the  muti- 
neer, and  restrained  by  their  long  habits  of  discipline,  they 
awaited  their  doom  in  a  state  of  intense  anxiety,  but  in 
silence. 

All  this  latter  description,  however,  was  but  the  event  of 
about  two  minutes — which  had  barely  expired,  when  the 
frigate  dashed  upon  the  reef! 


CHAPTER  LIV 

Thon,  God  of  this  great  vast,  rebuke  those  surges  which  wash  both 
heaven  and  hell ;  and  Thou  that  hast  upon  the  winds  command,  bind 
them  in  brass,  having  called  them  from  the  deep. — SHAKSPEAKE. 

rp 

-I  HE  shock  threw  the  men  off  their  feet  as  they  raised  an 
appealing  cry  to  Heaven,  which  was  mocked  by  the  howling 
of  the  wind  and  the  roar  of  the  waters.  The  masts,  which 
were  thrown  out  from  their  steps,  waved  once,  twice,  and  then 
fell  over  the  sides  with  a  crash,  as  an  enormous  sea  broke  over 
the  vessel,  forcing  her  further  on  the  rocks,  and  causing  every 
timber  and  knee  in  her  to  start  from  its  place.  The  masts,  as 
they  fell,  and  the  sea,  that  at  the  same  moment  poured  over 
like  an  impetuous  cataract,  swept  away  thirty  or  forty  of  the 
seamen  into  the  boiling  element  under  the  lee.  Another  and 
another  shock  from  the  resistless  and  furious  waves  decided 
the  fate  of  the  resolute  captain  and  master.  The  frigate  parted 
amidships.  The  fore-part  of  her,  which  was  firmly  wedged  on 
359 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  rocks,  remained.  The  quarter-deck  and  after-part  turned 
over  to  the  deep  water,  and  disappeared.  An  enormous  surge 
curled  over  it  as  it  went  down,  and  as  if  disappointed  at 
not  being  able  to  wreak  its  fury  upon  that  part  of  the 
vessel  which,  by  sinking,  had  evaded  it,  it  drove  in  revenge 
upon  the  remainder,  forcing  it  several  yards  higher  upon  the 
reef. 

Two-thirds  of  the  ship's  company  were  now  gone — the  cap- 
tain, the  master,  and  the  major  part  of  the  officers  and  men 
being  on  the  quarter-deck  when  the  ship  divided.  The  cry 
of  the  drowning  was  not  heard  amidst  the  roaring  of  the  ele- 
ments. The  behaviour  of  the  captain  and  the  officers  at  this 
dreadful  crisis  has  not  been  handed  down ;  but  if  we  may 
judge  from  what  has  already  been  narrated,  they  met  their 
fate  like  British  seamen. 

The  fore-part  of  the  ship  still  held  together,  and,  fortu- 
nately for  the  survivors,  heeled  towards  the  land,  so  as  to  afford 
some  protection  from  the  force  of  the  seas,  which  dashed  over  it 
at  each  succeeding  swell  of  the  billows.  Daylight  left  them, 
and  darkness  added  to  the  despair  and  horror  of  nearly  one 
hundred  wretches,  who  felt  at  each  shock,  which  threatened 
to  separate  the  planks  and  timbers,  as  if  Death  was  loudly 
knocking  to  claim  the  residue  of  his  destined  victims.  Not  one 
word  was  exchanged ;  but  secured  with  ropes  to  the  belaying- 
pins  and  other  parts  of  the  forecastle  where  they  could  pass 
their  lashings,  they  clung  and  huddled  together,  either  ab- 
sorbed in  meditation  or  wailing  with  despair.  Occasionally, 
one  who  had  supported  himself  in  a  difficult  and  painful 
position,  stimulated  with  the  faint  hopes  of  life,  to  which  we 
all  so  fondly  and  so  foolishly  cling,  would  find  that  his  strength 
was  exhausted,  and  that  he  could  hold  no  longer.  After 
vainly  imploring  those  near  him  to  allow  him  to  better  his 
condition  by  a  slight  personal  sacrifice  on  their  part  (an  appeal 
that  received  no  answer),  he  would  gradually  loose  his  hold, 
and  drop  into  the  surge  that  was  commissioned  by  Death  to 
receive  his  prey. 

There  are  situations  in  human  life  of  such  powerful 
excitement,  and  in  which  the  mechanism  of  the  human 
frame  becomes  so  rapid  in  its  motion,  that  the  friction  of 
a  few  days  will  wear  it  out.  The  harrowed  feelings  of  these 
poor  creatures  on  the  wreck,  during  the  short  time  that 
360 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

they  remained,  had  a  greater  effect  in  undermining  the 
constitution  than  many  years  of  laborious  occupation  on 
shore. 

Fellow-countrymen,  if  you  are  at  all  interested  with  the 
scenes  I  am  now  describing,  and  which,  if  you  have  any 
feeling,  you  must  be  (however  imperfect  the  description), 
let  the  author,  a  sailor  himself,  take  this  favourable  oppor- 
tunity of  appealing  to  you  in  behalf  of  a  service  at  once  your 
protection  and  your  pride.  For  its  sake,  as  well  as  your  own, 
listen  not  to  those  who,  expatiating  upon  its  expense,  and 
silent  upon  its  deserts,  would  put  a  stop  to  hardly-earned 
promotion,  and  blast  with  disappointment  the  energies  of 
the  incipient  hero.  And  may  those  to  whom  the  people  at 
large  have  delegated  their  trust,  and  in  whom  they  have 
reposed  their  confidence,  treat  with  contempt  the  calcula- 
tions, and  miscalculations,  of  one  without  head  and  without 
heart! 

Daylight  again,  as  if  unwillingly,  appeared,  and  the 
wild  scud  flew  past  the  dark  clouds,  that  seemed  to 
sink  down  with  their  heavy  burdens  till  they  nearly 
touched  the  sea.  The  waves  still  followed  each  other 
mountains  high ;  the  wind  blew  with  the  same  violence ; 
and  as  the  stormy  petrels  flew  over  the  billows,  indicating 
by  their  presence  that  the  gale  would  continue,  the  un- 
fortunate survivors  looked  at  each  other  in  silence  and 
despair. 

I  know  not  whether  all  seamen  feel  as  I  do ;  but  I  have 
witnessed  so  many  miraculous  escapes,  so  many  sudden  re- 
verses, so  much,  beyond  all  hope  and  conception,  achieved 
by  a  reliance  upon  Providence  and  your  own  exertions,  that 
under  the  most  critical  circumstances  I  never  should  despair. 
If  struggling  in  the  centre  of  the  Atlantic,  with  no  vessel  in 
sight,  no  strength  remaining,  and  sinking  under  the  wave 
that  boiled  in  my  ear,  as  memory  and  life  were  departing — 
still,  as  long  as  life  did  remain,  as  long  as  recollection  held 
her  seat,  I  never  should  abandon  Hope — never  believe  that 
it  is  all  over  with  me — till  I  awoke  in  the  next  world,  and 
found  it  confirmed. 

What  would  these  men  have  valued  their  lives  at  in 
the  morning  ?  Yet  at  noon  a  change  took  place :  the 
361 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

weather  evidently  moderated  fast;  and  silence,  that  had 
reigned  for  so  many  hours,  lost  his  empire,  and  the 
chances  of  being  saved  began  to  be  calculated.  A  reef 
of  rocks,  many  of  them  above  water,  over  which  the 
breakers  still  raged,  lay  between  the  wreck  and  the  shore, 
and  the  certainty  of  being  dashed  to  pieces  precluded  all 
attempts  at  reaching  it  till  the  weather  became  more 
moderate  and  the  sea  less  agitated.  But  when  might  that 
be  ?  and  how  long  were  they  to  resist  the  united  attacks  of 
hunger  and  fatigue  ? 

The  number  of  men  still  surviving  was  about  seventy. 
Many,  exhausted  and  wounded,  were  hanging  in  a  state  of 
insensibility  by  the  ropes  with  which  they  had  secured  them- 
selves. That  our  hero  was  among  those  who  remained  need 
hardly  be  observed,  or  there  would  have  been  a  close  to  this 
eventful  history.  He  was  secured  to  the  weather-side  of  the 
foremast-bitts,  supported  on  the  one  side  by  the  boatswain, 
and  on  the  other  by  Price,  the  second  lieutenant,  next  to 
whom  was  the  captain  of  the  forecastle,  one  of  the  steadiest 
and  best  seamen  in  the  ship,  who  had  been  pressed  out  of 
a  West  Indiaman,  in  which  he  had  served  in  the  capacity  of 
second  mate. 

Our  hero  had  often  turned  round  with  an  intention  to 
speak  to  Price ;  but  observing  that  he  sat  crouched  with  his 
face  upon  his  hands  and  knees,  he  waited  until  his  messmate 
should  raise  his  head  up,  imagining  that  he  was  occupied 
in  secret  prayer.  Finding  that  he  still  continued  in  the 
same  position,  Seymour  called  to  him  several  times.  Not 
receiving  any  answer,  he  extended  his  arm  and  shook  Price 
by  the  coller,  fearing  that  he  had  swooned  from  cold  and 
fatigue. 

Price  slowly  raised  his  head,  and  looking  at  Seymour, 
answered  not.  His  vacant  stare  and  wild  eye  proclaimed  at 
once  that  reason  had  departed.  Still,  as  it  afterwards  appeared, 
his  ruling  passion  remained  ;  and  from  that  incomprehensible 
quality  of  our  structure,  which  proves  that  the  mind  of  man 
is  more  fearfully  and  wonderfully  made  than  the  body,  the 
desertion  of  one  sense  was  followed  by  the  return  of  another. 
His  memory  was  perfect,  now  that  his  reason  was  gone.  Sur- 
veying the  scene  around  him,  he  began  with  all  the  theatrical 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

action  which  the  ropes  that  secured  him  would  permit,  to 
quote  his  favourite  author  : — 

"'Blow  winds,  and  crack  your  cheeks— rage— blow, 
You  cataracts  and  burricanoes,  spout — ' 

" '  Poor  Tom's  a-cold  '  " — then,  shuddering,  he  covered  up 
his  face,  and  resumed  his  former  position. 

"  Is  this  a  time  for  spouting  profane  plays,  Mr.  Price  ?  " 
said  the  fanatical  boatswain,  who  was  not  aware  of  the  poor 
man's  insanity.  "  Hold  your  peace,  and  call  not  judgment 
on  our  heads,  and  I  prophesy  that  we  shall  be  saved.  'The 
waves  of  the  sea  are  mighty,  and  rage  horribly ;  but  yet  the 
Lord  who  dwelleth  on  high  is  mightier.'  " 

Silence  ensued,  which  after  a  few  minutes  was  interrupted 

by  Seymour  lamenting  over  the  fate  of  Captain  M and 

the  rest  of  the  ?rew  who  had  perished. 

"  Well,  they  are  in  heaven  before  this,  I  hope  ! "  observed 
Robinson,  the  captain  of  the  forecastle. 

" '  Many  are  called,  but  few  chosen,'  "  rejoined  the  boat- 
swain, who  appeared  by  the  flashing  of  his  eye  to  be  in  n. 
state  of  strong  excitement.  "  No  more  in  heaven  than  you 
would  be,  if  the  Almighty  was  pleased  to  cut  you  off  in  His 
wrath." 

"  Where  then,  Mr.  Hardsett  ?  "  inquired  Robinson.  "  Surely 
not  in " 

"  I  know — I  know,"  cried  Price,  who  again  lifted  up  his 
head,  and  with  a  vacant  laugh  commenced  singing — 

"  Nothing  of  him  that  doth  fade 
But  doth  suffer  a  sea-change 
Into  something  rich  and  strange. 
Sea  nymphs  hourly  ring  his  knell  I 
Hark  !  now  I  hear  them — ding-dong-bell." 

"  For  shame,  Mr.  Price  !  "  interrupted  the  boatswain. 

"  Ding-dong — ding-dong-bell." 

"Mr.  Price,  what  does  the  Scripture  say?  'Judgments 
are  prepared  for  scorners,' "  continued  the  boatswain  with 
vehemence. 

Price  had  resumed  his  former  attitude,  and  made  no  answer. 
363 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

As  soon  as  the  interruption  of  the  lieutenant  had  ceased, 
Robinson  resumed  his  interrogatory  to  the  boatswain  :  "  Where 
then  ? — not  in  hell,  I  hope." 

"Ay,"  returned  the  latter,  "in  the  fire  that  is  never 
quenched,  and  for  ever  and  ever." 

"  I  hope  not,"  replied  Robinson ;  "  I  may  deserve  punish- 
ment, and  I  know  I  do.  I've  been  overhauling  my  log-book 
while  the  sea  here  has  been  dashing  over  my  bows  and  wash- 
ing my  figure-head  ;  and  there  are  some  things  I  wish  I  could 
forget ; — they  will  rise  up  in  judgment  against  me  ;  but  surely 
not  for  ever  ?  " 

"  You  should  have  thought  of  that  before,  my  good  fellow. 
I  am  sorry  for  you — sorry  for  all  those  who  have  perished, 
for  they  were  good  seamen,  and  in  the  worldly  service  have 
done  well.  I  was  reflecting  the  other  day  whether,  out  of 
the  whole  navy,  I  should  be  able  to  muster  one  single  ship's 
company  in  heaven." 

"  Well,  Mr.  Hardsett,  it's  my  firm  opinion,  that  when  the 
hands  are  turned  up  for  punishment  in  the  next  world,  we 
shall  be  sarved  out  according  to  our  desarts.  Now,  that's  my 
belief;  and  I  shan't  change  it  for  yours,  Mr.  Hardsett,  for  I 
thinks  mine  the  more  comfortable  of  the  two." 

"  It  won't  do,  Robinson  ;  you  must  have  faith." 

"  So  I  have,  in  God's  mercy,  boatswain." 

"  That  won't  do.     Yours  is  not  the  true  faith." 

"  Mayhap  not,  but  I  hope  to  ride  it  put  with  it  nevertheless, 
for  I  have  it  well  backed  with  hope ;  and  if  I  still  drive," 
said  Robinson,  musing  a  short  time — "why,  I  have  charity 
as  a  sheet-anchor  to  bring  me  up  again.  It's  long  odds  but 
our  bodies  will  soon  be  knocked  to  shivers  in  those  breakers, 
and  we  shall  then  know  who's  right  and  who's  wrong.  I 
see  small  chance  of  our  saving  ourselves,  unless  indeed  we 
could  walk  on  the  sea,  and  there  was  but  One  that  ever  did 
that." 

"  Had  the  apostle  had  faith,  he  would  not  have  sunk," 
rejoined  the  boatswain. 

"  Have  you,  then,  more  faith  than  the  apostle  ?  " 

"  I  have,  thanks  be  to  Jehovah,  the  true  faith,"  cried  the 
boatswain,  raising  his  eyes  and  hands  to  heaven. 

"  Then  walk  on  shore,"  said  the  captain  of  the  forecastle., 
looking  him  steadfastly  in  the  face. 
364 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

Stimulated  by  the  request,  which  appeared  to  put  his 
courage  as  a  man,  and  his  faith  as  a  Christian,  to  the  test, 
and  at  the  moment  fanatic  even  to  insanity,  the  boat- 
swain rose,  and  casting  off  the  ropes  which  he  had  wound 
round  his  body,  was  about  to  comply  with  Robinson's 
request. 

A  few  moments  more,  and  the  raging  sea  would  have 
received  him,  had  not  our  hero,  in  conjunction  with  the 
captain  of  the  forecastle,  held  him  down  with  all  his  power. 
"We  doubt  not  your  faith,  Mr.  Hardsett,"  said  Seymour, 
"  but  the  time  of  miracles  is  past.  It  would  be  self-murder. 
He  who  raised  the  storm  will,  in  His  own  good  time,  save  us, 
if  He  thinks  fit." 

Price,  who  had  listened  to  the  conversation,  and  had 
watched  the  motions  of  the  boatswain,  who  was  casting  off 
the  lashings  which  had  secured  him,  had,  unperceived,  done 
the  same,  and  now  jumped  upon  his  legs,  and  collared  the 
astonished  boatswain,  roaring  out — 

"  Zounds,  show  me  what  thou'lt  do  ! 
Woul't  weep  ?  woul't  fight  ?  woul't  fast  ?  woul't  teax  thyself?  " 

Why,  he's  mad  ! "  exclaimed  the  terrified  boatswain,  who 
was  not  far  off  the  point  himself. 
"  Mad  1 "  resumed  Price, 

"  Not  a  soul 

But  felt  a  fever  of  the  mad,  and  played 
Some  tricks  of  desperation. 

The  king's  son,  Ferdinand, 
With  hair  upstarting  (then  like  reeds,  not  hair), 
Was  the  first  man  that  leaped  ;  cried,  Hell  is  empty 
And  all  the  devils  are  here  !  " 

As  the  maniac  finished  the  last  words,  before  they  could 
be  aware  of  his  intention,  he  made  a  spring  from  the  deck 
over  the  bulwark,  and  disappeared  under  the  wave.  The 
boatswain,  who  had  been  diverted  from  his  fanatical  attempt 
by  the  unexpected  attack  of  Price  more  than  by  the  remon- 
strances of  his  companions,  resumed  his  position,  folding  his 
arms,  and  casting  his  eyes  to  heaven.  The  captain  of  the 
365 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

forecastle  was  silent,  and  so  was  our  hero  ;  the  thoughts  oi 
the  two  were  upon  the  same  subject — eternity. 

Eternity  ! — the  only  theme  that  confuses,  humbles,  and 
alarms  the  proud  intellect  of  man.  What  is  it  ?  The  human 
mind  can  grasp  any  denned  space,  any  denned  time,  how- 
ever vast ;  but  this  is  beyond  time,  and  too  great  for  the 
limited  conception  of  man.  It  had  no  beginning,  and  can 
have  no  end.  It  cannot  be  multiplied,  it  cannot  be  divided, 
it  cannot  be  added  unto — you  may  attempt  to  subtract  from 
it,  but  it  is  useless.  Take  millions  and  millions  of  years  from 
it,  take  all  the  time  that  can  enter  into  the  compass  of  your 
imagination,  it  is  still  whole  and  undiminished  as  before — 
all  calculation  is  lost.  Think  on — the  brain  becomes  heated, 
and  oppressed  with  a  sensation  of  weight  too  powerful  for  it 
to  bear ;  Reason  totters  in  her  seat,  and  you  rise  with  the 
conviction  of  the  impossibility  of  the  creature  attempting  to 
fathom  the  Creator — humiliated  with  the  sense  of  your  own 
nothingness,  and  impressed  with  the  tremendous  majesty  of 
the  Deity. 

Time  is  Man — Eternity  is  God  ! 


CHAPTER  LV 

Thou  art  perfect,  then,  that  our  ship  hath  touched  upon  the  deserts 
of  Bohemia  1 
Ay,  my  lord,  and  fear  we  have  landed  in  ill  time. 

Winter's  Tale. 

-A. BOUT  midnight  the  moon  burst  through  the  clouds,  which 
gradually  rolled  away  to  the  western  horizon,  as  if  they  had 
been  furled  by  some  invisible  spirits  in  the  air.  The  wind, 
after  several  feeble  gusts,  like  the  last  breathings  of  some 
expiring  creature  unwilling  to  loosen  the  "  silver  cord,"  sub- 
sided to  a  calm.  It  then  shifted  round  to  the  eastward.  The 
waves  relaxed  in  their  force  until  they  did  little  more  than 
play  upon  the  side  of  the  wreck,  so  lately  the  object  of  their 
fury.  The  dark  shadows  of  the  rocks  were  no  longer  relieved 
by  the  white  foam  of  the  surf,  which  had  raged  among  them 
with  such  violence.  Before  morning  all  was  calm,  and  the 
366 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

survivors,  as  they  shrunk  and  shivered  in  their  wet  garments, 
encouraged  each  other  with  the  prospect  of  a  speedy  termina- 
tion to  their  sufferings  on  the  reappearance  of  daylight.  The 
sun  rose  in  splendour,  and  seemed,  as  he  darted  his  searching 
rays  through  the  cloudless  expanse,  to  exclaim  in  his  pride, 
"Behold  how  I  bring  light  and  heat,  joy  and  salvation,  to 
you  late  despairing  creatures  !  "  The  rocks  of  the  reef  above 
water,  which  had  previously  been  a  source  of  horror,  and  had 
been  contemplated  as  the  sure  engines  of  their  destruction, 
were  now  joyfully  reckoned  as  so  many  resting-spots  for  those 
who  were  about  to  attempt  to  reach  the  land. 

The  most  daring  and  expert  swimmers  launched  themselves 
into  the  water  and  made  for  the  nearest  cluster  of  rocks,  with 
difficulty  gaining  a  footing  on  them,  after  clinging  by  the  dark 
and  slippery  sea-weed  which  covered  their  tops,  like  shaggy 
hair  on  the  heads  of  so  many  emerging  giants.  The  waving 
of  the  hands  of  the  party  who  had  succeeded  in  gaining  the 
rocks,  encouraged  a  second  to  follow  ;  while  others,  who  could 
not  swim,  were  busily  employed  in  searching  for  the  means  of 
supporting  themselves  in  the  water,  and  floating  themselves 
on  shore.  Self,  that  had  predominated,  now  lost  its  ground. 
Those  who  had  allowed  their  shipmates  to  perish  in  attempt- 
ing to  gain  the  same  place  of  security  as  themselves,  without 
an  effort  in  their  favour,  or  one  sigh  for  their  unlucky  fate, 
now  that  hope  was  revived  almost  to  a  certainty  of  deliver- 
ance, showed  as  much  interest  in  the  preservation  of  others 
lying  in  a  state  of  exhaustion  as  they  did  for  their  own.  The 
remaining  officers  recovered  their  authority,  which  had  been 
disregarded,  and  the  shattered  fragment  of  the  Aspasia 
reassumed  their  rights  of  discipline  and  obedience  to  the 
last.  In  a  few  hours,  sick,  disabled,  and  wounded  were  all 
safely  landed,  and  the  raft  which  had  been  constructed 
returned  to  the  wreck,  to  bring  on  shore  whatever  might  be 
useful. 

Our  hero,  who  was  the  only  officer  who  had  been  saved, 
with  the  exception  of  the  boatswain,  had  taken  upon  himself 
the  command,  and  occupied  himself  with  the  arrangements 
necessary  for  the  shelter  and  sustenance  of  his  men.  A  range 
of  barren  hills,  abruptly  rising  from  the  iron-bound  coast, 
covered  with  large  fragments  and  detached  pieces  of  rock, 
without  any  symptom  of  cultivation,  or  any  domesticated 
367 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

animal  in  sight  which  might  imply  that  human  aid  was  not 
far  distant,  met  the  eye  of  Seymour,  as  he  directed  it  to  every 
point,  in  hopes  of  succour  for  his  wounded  and  exhausted 
companions.  One  of  the  men,  whom  he  had  sent  to  recon- 
noitre, returned  in  a  few  minutes,  stating,  that  behind  a 
jutting  rock,  which  he  pointed  to  with  his  finger,  not  two 
hundred  yards  distant,  he  had  discovered  a  hut,  or  what  in 
Ireland  is  termed  a  shealing,  and  that  there  appeared  to  be 
a  bridle  road  from  it  leading  over  the  mountain.  To  this 
shelter  our  hero  determined  to  remove  his  disabled  men,  and 
in  company  with  the  boatswain  and  the  man  who  had  re- 
turned with  the  intelligence,  set  off  to  examine  the  spot. 
Passing  the  rock,  he  perceived  that  the  hut,  which  bore  every 
sign,  from  its  smokeless  chimney  and  air  of  negligence  and 
decay,  to  have  been  some  time  deserted,  stood  upon  a  piece 
of  ground,  about  an  acre  in  extent,  which  had  once  been 
cultivated,  but  was  now  luxuriant  with  a  spontaneous 
crop  of  weeds  and  thistles.  He  approached  the  entrance, 
and  as  the  rude  door  creaked  upon  its  hinges  when  he 
threw  it  open,  was  saluted  by  a  faint  voice,  which  cried, 
"  Qui  va  Ui  ?  " 

"  Why,  there's  Irishmen  inside,"  observed  the  sailor. 

"Frenchmen  rather,  I  should  imagine,"  replied  our  hero, 
as  he  entered  and  discovered  seven  or  eight  of  the  unfortu- 
nate survivors  of  the  French  line-of-battle  ship,  who  had 
crawled  there,  bruised,  cut,  and  apparently  in  the  last  state 
of  exhaustion. 

"  Bon  jour,  camarade,"  said  one  of  them,  with  difficulty 
raising  himself  on  his  elbow — "  As-tu  d' eau-de-vie  ?  " 

"  I  am  afraid  not,"  replied  Seymour,  looking  with  com- 
passion on  the  group,  all  of  which  had  their  eyes  directed 
towards  him,  although  from  their  wounds  and  bruises  they 
were  not  able  to  turn  their  bodies.  "  We  are  shipwrecked  as 
well  as  you." 

"  What !  did  you  belong  to  that  cursed  frigate  ?  " 

"  We  did,"  replied  Seymour,  "  and  there  are  but  few  of  us 
alive  to  tell  the  tale." 

"  Vive  la  France  !  "  cried  the  Frenchman  ;  "puisqu'elle  na 
pas  ('chappce- — je  n'ai  plus  des  regrets." 

"  Viva,  viva  !  "  repeated  the  rest  of  the  French  party  in 
faint  accents. 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Et  mot,  je  meurs  content  I  "  murmured  one,  who  in  a  few 
seconds  afterwards  expired. 

"  Are  you  the  only  survivors  ?  "  demanded  Seymour. 

"All  that  are  left,"  replied  the  spokesman  of  the  party, 
"  out  of  eight  hundred  and  6fty  men — Sacristie — as-tu  d' eau- 
de-vie  ?  " 

"  I  hardly  know  what  we  have  ;  something  has  been  saved 
from  the  wreck,"  replied  Seymour,  "  and  shall  cheerfully  be 
shared  with  you  with  all  the  assistance  we  can  afford.  We 
were  enemies,  but  we  are  now  brothers  in  affliction.  I 
must  quit  you  to  bring  up  our  wounded  men  ;  there  is 
sufficient  room,  I  perceive,  for  all  of  us.  Adieu,  pour  le 
moment !  " 

"  Savez-vous  que  c'est  tin  braise  gar$on  ce  lieutenant-la  I "  ob- 
served the  Frenchman  to  his  companions,  as  Seymour  and  his 
party  quitted  the  hut 

Seymour  returned  to  the  beach,  and  collecting  his  men, 
found  the  survivors  to  consist  of  forty-four  seamen  and  marines, 
the  boatswain  and  himself.  Of  these,  fifteen  were  helpless, 
from  wounds  and  fractured  limbs.  The  articles  which  had 
been  collected  were  a  variety  of  spars  and  fragments  of  wood, 
some  of  the  small  sails  which  had  been  triced  up  in  the 
rigging,  one  or  two  casks  of  beef  and  pork,  and  a  puncheon 
of  rum,  which  had  miraculously  steered  its  course  between 
the  breakers,  and  had  been  landed  without  injury.  The  sails, 
which  had  been  spread  out  to  dry,  were  first  carried  up  to 
form  a  bed  for  the  sick  and  wounded,  who  in  the  space  of  an 
hour  were  all  made  as  comfortable  as  circumstances  would 
admit,  a  general  bed  having  been  made  on  the  floor  of  the 
hut,  upon  which  they  and  the  wounded  Frenchmen  shared 
the  sails  between  them.  The  spars  and  fragments  were  then 
brought  up,  and  a  fire  made  in  the  long-deserted  hearth,  while 
another  was  lighted  outside  for  the  men  to  dry  their  clothes. 
The  cask  of  rum  was  rolled  up  to  the  door,  and  a  portion, 
mixed  with  the  water  from  a  rill  that  trickled  down  the  sides 
of  the  adjacent  mountain,  served  out  to  the  exhausted  parties. 
The  seamen,  stripping  off  their  clothes,  and  spreading  them 
out  to  dry  before  the  fire  which  had  been  made  outside 
collected  into  the  hut  to  shield  their  naked  bodies  from  the 
inclemency  of  the  weather. 

The  spirits,  which  had  been  supplied  with  caution  to  the 
869  2A 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

survivors  of  the  French  vessel,  had  been  eagerly  seized  by  the 
one  who  had  first  addressed  our  hero,  and  in  half-an-hour  he 
seemed  to  be  quite  revived.  He  rose,  and  after  trying  his 
limbs,  by  moving  slowly  to  and  fro,  gradually  recovered  the 
entire  use  of  them ;  and  by  the  time  that  the  circulation  of 
his  blood  had  been  thoroughly  restored  by  a  second  dose  of 
spirits,  appeared  to  have  little  to  complain  of.  He  was  a 
powerful,  well-looking  man,  with  a  large  head  covered  with 
a  profusion  of  shaggy  hair.  Seymour  looked  at  him  earnestly, 
and  thought  lie  could  not  well  be  mistaken,  long  as  it  was 
since  they  had  been  in  company. 

"  Excuse  me,  but  I  th'nk  we  once  met  at  Cherbourg.  Is 
not  your  name  Debriseau  ?  " 

"  Sacristie  !"  replied  the  Frenchman,  seizing  himself  by  the 
hair,  "je  suis  connu  !  And  who  are  you  ?  " 

"  Oh  !  now  I'm  sure  it's  you,"  replied  Seymour,  laughing ; 
'•'  that's  your  old  trick — do  you  not  recollect  the  boy  that 
Captain  M'Elvina  took  off  the  wreck  ?" 

"  Ah,  man  ami — Seymour,  I  believe — midshipman,  I  believe," 
cried  Debriseau.  "  Est-cc  done  vous  ?  Mais,  won  Dieu,  que  c'esi 
diole"  (again  pulling  his  hair  as  he  grinded  his  teeth)  "  un 
diabh  cle  rencontre  I" 

"And  how  is  it  that  you  have  been  on  bourd  of  a  French 
man-of-war  ?  " 

"  How  I  Oh,  I  was  unlucky  after  M'Elvina  went  away, 
and  I  thought  on  reflection,  notwithstanding  his  arguments, 
that  it  was  a  dishonest  sort  of  concern.  Being  pretty 
well  acquainted  with  the  coasts,  I  shipped  on  board  as 
pilot." 

"  But,  Debriseau,  are  you  not  a  native  of  Guernsey,  which 
is  part  of  the  British  dominions  ?  " 

"  Bah  1  it's  all  one,  moh  ami ;  we  islanders  are  like  the  bat 
in  the  fable — beast  or  bird,  as  it  suits  us — we  belong  to  either 
country.  For  my  own  part,  I  have  a  strong  national  affection 
for  both." 

The  conversation  was  here  interrupted  by  the  entrance 
of  the  boatswain,  who  had  remained  outside  in  charge 
of  the  cask  of  rum,  upon  which  he  had  seated  himself, 
occupied  with  his  Bible.  "  Here's  assistance  coming,  Mr. 
Seymour.  There's  at  least  twenty  or  thirty  men  descending 
the  hill." 

370 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

"  Hurrah  for  old  Ireland  '  they  are  the  boys  that  will 
look  after  a  friend  in  distress,"  shouted  Conolly,  one  oi 
the  seamen,  who  thus  eulogised  his  own  countrymen  as 
he  hung  naked  over  the  fire. 


CHAPTER  LYT 

With  dauntless  hardihood 
And  brandished  bladi  rush  on  him, 
And  shed  the  luscious  liquor  on  the  ground, 

.  .  .  though  he  and  his  cursed  crew 
Fierce  sign  of  battle  make,  and  menace  high. 

MILTON. 

J_  HE  information  received  from  Mr.  Hardsett  induced  our 
hero  to  break  off  his  conversation  with  Debriseau,  and  he 
immediately  quitted  the  hut.  A  party  of  men,  wild  in  theiv 
appearance  and  demeanour,  were  bounding  down  through  the 
rocks,  flourishing  their  bludgeons  over  their  heads,  with  loud 
shouts.  They  soon  arrived  within  'a  few  yards  of  the  shealing, 
and  to  the  astonishment  of  Seymour  and  the  boatswain,  who 
with  a  dozen  more  had  resumed  their  clothes,  seemed  to 
eye  them  with  hostile  rather  than  with  friendly  glances. 
Their  intentions  were,  however,  soon  manifested  by  their 
pouncing  upon  the  habiliments  of  the  seamen  which  were 
spread  out  to  dry,  holding  them  rolled  up  under  one  arm, 
while  they  flourished  their  shillelahs  in  defiance  with  the 
other. 

"  Avast  there,  my  lads  ! "  cried  the  boatswain ;  "  why  are 
you  meddling  with  those  clothes  ?  " 

A  shout,  with  confused  answers  in  Irish,  was  the  incompre- 
hensible reply. 

"  Conolly/'  cried  Seymour,  "  you  can  speak  to  them.  Ask 
them  what  they  mean  ?  " 

Conolly  addressed  them  in  Irish,  when  an  exchange  of  a  few 
sentences  took  place. 

"  Bloody  end  to  the  rapparees ! "  said  Conolly,  turning  to 
our  hero.  "  It's  helping  themselves  they're  a'ter,  instead  of 
helping  us.  They  say  all  that  comes  on  shore  from  a  wreck  is 
371 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

their  own  by  right,  and  that  they'll  have  it.  They  asked  me 
what  was  in  the  cask,  and  I  told  them  it  was  the  cratur,  sure 
enough,  and  they  say  that  they  must  have  it,  and  everything 
else,  and  that  if  we  don't  give  it  up  peaceably,  they'll  take 
the  lives  of  us." 

Seymour,  who  was  aware  that  the  surrender  of  the  means 
of  intoxication  would  probably  lead  to  worse  results,  turned  to 
his  men,  who  had  assembled  outside  of  the  hut,  and  had  armed 
themselves  with  spars  and  fragments  of  the  wreck  on  the  first 
appearance  of  hostility,  and  directed  them  to  roll  the  cask 
of  rum  into  the  hut  and  prepare  to  act  on  the  defensive. 
The  English  seamen,  indignant  at  such  violation  of  the 
laws  of  hospitality,  and  at  the  loss  of  their  clothes,  imme- 
diately complied  with  his  instructions,  and  with  their  blood 
boiling,  were  with  difficulty  restrained  from  commencing  the 
attack. 

A  shaggy  -  headed  monster,  apparently  the  leader  of 
the  hostile  party,  again  addressed  Conolly  in  his  own 
language. 

"It's  to  know  whether  ye'll  give  up  the  cask  quietly, 
or  have  a  fight  for  it.  The  devil  a  pair  of  trousers  will 
they  give  back,  not  even  my  own,  though  I'm  an  Irishman, 

and  a  Galway  man  to  boot.  By  J s,  Mr.  Seymour,  it's 

to  be  hoped  ye'll  not  give  up  the  cratur  without  a  bit  of 
a  row." 

"  No,"  replied  Seymour.  " Tell  them  that  they  shall  not 
have  it,  and  that  they  shall  be  punished  for  the  theft  they 
have  already  committed." 

"  You're  to  come  and  take  it/'  roared  Conolly,  in  Irish,  to 
the  opposing  party. 

"Now,  my  lads,"  cried  Seymour,  "you  must  fight  hard 
for  it — they  will  show  little  mercy  if  they  gain,  the 
day." 

The  boatswain  returned  his  Bible  to  his  breast,  and  seizing 
the  mast  of  the  frigate's  jolly-boat,  which  had  been  thrown  up 
with  the  other  spars,  poised  it  with  both  hands  on  a  level  with 
his  head,  so  as  to  use  the  foot  of  it  as  a  battering-ram,  and 
stalked  before  his  men. 

The  Irish  closed  with  loud  yells,  and  the  affray  commenced 
with  a  desperation  seldom  to  be  witnessed.  Many  were  the 
wounds  given  and  received,  and  several  of  either  party  were 
372 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

levelled  in  the  dust  The  numbers  were  about  even ;  but  the 
weapons  of  the  Irish  were  of  a  better  description,  each  man 
being  provided  with  his  own  shillelah  of  hard  wood,  which  he 
had  been  accustomed  to  wield.  But  the  boatswain  did  great 
execution  as  he  launched  forward  his  mast,  and  prostrated 
an  Irishman  every  time  with  his  cool  and  well-directed  aim. 
After  a  few  minutes'  contention  the  Englishmen  were  beaten 
back  to  the  shealing,  where  they  rallied,  and  continued  to  stand 
at  bay.  Seymour,  anxious  at  all  events  that  the  Irish  should 
not  obtain  the  liquor,  directed  Robinson,  the  captain  of  the 
forecastle,  to  go  into  the  hut,  take  the  bung  out  of  the  cask, 
and  start  the  contents.  This  order  was  obeyed,  while  the 
contest  was  continued  outside,  till  M'Dermot,  the  leader  of 
the  Irish,  called  off  his  men,  that  they  might  recover  their 
breath  for  a  renewal  of  the  attack. 

"If  it's  the  liquor  you  want,"  cried  Conolly  to  them, 
by  the  direction  of  Seymour,  "you  must  be  quick  about  it. 
There  it's  all  running  away  through  the  doors  of  the 
shealing." 

This  announcement  had,  however,  the  contrary  effect  to  that 
which  Seymour  intended  it  should  produce.  Enraged  at  the 
loss  of  the  spirits,  and  hoping  to  gain  possession  of  the  cask 
before  it  was  all  out,  the  Irish  returned  with  renewed  violence 
to  the  assault,  and  drove  the  English  to  the  other  side  of  the 
shealing,  obtaining  possession  of  the  door,  which  they  burst 
in  to  secure  their  prey.  About  eight  or  ten  had  entered 
and  had  seized  upon  the  cask,  which  was  not  more  than  half 
emptied,  when  the  liquor,  which  had  run  out  under  the  door 
of  the  hut,  communicated  in  its  course  with  the  fire  that  had 
been  kindled  outside.  With  the  rapidity  of  lightning  the  flame 
ran  up  the  stream  that  continued  to  flow,  igniting  the  whole 
of  the  spirits  in  the  cask,  which  blew  up  with  a  tremendous 
explosion,  darting  the  fiery  liquid  over  the  whole  interior,  and 
communicating  the  flame  to  the  thatch  and  every  part  of  the 
building,  which  was  instantaneously  in  ardent  combustion.  The 
shrieks  of  the  poor  disabled  wretches,  stretched  on  the  sails,  to 
which  the  fire  had  communicated,  and  who  were  now  lying  in 
a  molten  sea  of  flame  like  that  described  in  Pandemonium  by 
Milton  ;  the  yells  of  the  Irish  inside  of  the  hut,  vainly  attempt- 
ing to  regain  the  door,  as  they  writhed  in  their  flaming  apparel, 
which,  like  the  shirt  of  Nessus,  ate  into  their  flesh ;  the  burning 
373 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

thatch  which  had  been  precipitated  in  the  air,  and  now  de- 
scended in  fiery  flakes  upon  the  parties  outside,  who  stood 
aghast  at  the  dreadful  and  unexpected  catastrophe ;  the 
volumes  of  black  and  suffocating  smoke  which  poured  out 
from  every  quarter — formed  a  scene  of  horror  to  which  no  pen 
can  do  adequate  justice.  But  all  was  soon  over.  The  shrieks 
and  yells  had  yielded  to  suffocation,  and  the  flames,  in  their 
fury,  had  devoured  everything  with  such  rapidity,  that  they 
subsided  for  the  want  of  further  aliment.  In  a  few  minutes 
nothing  remained  but  the  smoking  walls  and  the  blackened 
corpses  which  they  encircled. 

Ill-fated  wretches !  ye  had  escaped  the  lightning's  blast — 
ye  had  been  rescued  from  the  swallowing  wave — and  little 
thought  that  you  would  encounter  an  enemy  more  cruel  still 
— your  fellow-creature — man. 

The  first  emotions  of  Seymour  .and  his  party,  as  soon  as  they 
had  recovered  from  the  horror  which  had  been  excited  by  the 
catastrophe,  were  those  of  pity  and  commiseration  ;  but  their 
reign  was  short — 

Revenge  impatient  rose, 
And  threw  his  blood-stained  sword  in  thunder  down. 

The  smoking  ruins  formed  the  altar  at  which  he  received 
their  vows,  and  stimulated  them  to  the  sacrifice  of  further 
victims.  Nor  did  he  fail  to  inspire  the  breasts  of  the  other 
party,  indignant  at  the  loss  of  their  companions,  and  dis- 
appointed at  the  destruction  of  what  they  so  ardently 
coveted. 

Debriseau,  who  had  played  no  idle  game  in  the  previous 
skirmish,  was  the  first  who  rushed  to  the  attack.  Crying  out, 
with  all  the  theatrical  air  of  a  Frenchman,  which  never  deserts 
him,  even  in  the  agony  of  grief,  "  Mes  braves  compagnons,  vous 
seres  venges  ! "  he  flew  at  Mf Dermot,  the  leader  of  the  Irish 


A  brand  of  half-consumed  wood,  with  which  he  aimed  at 
M'Dermot's  head,  broke  across  the  bludgeon  which  was  raised 
to  ward  the  blow.  Debriseau  closed  ;  and  clasping  his  arms 
rotmd  his  neck,  tore  him  with  his  strong  teeth  with  the  power 
and  ferocity  of  a  tiger,  and  they  rolled  together  in  the  dust, 
covered  with  the  blood  which  poured  in  streams,  and  struggling 
for  mastery  and  life.  An  American,  one  of  the  Aspasia's  crew, 
374 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

now  closed  in  the  same  way  with  another  of  the  Irish  despera- 
does, and  as  they  fell  together,  twirling  the  side-locks  on  the 
temples  of  his  antagonist  round  his  fingers  to  obtain  a  fulcrum 
to  his  lever,  he  inserted  his  thumbs  into  the  sockets  of  his 
eyes,  forced  out  the  balls  of  vision,  and  left  him  in  agony  and 
in  darkness. 

"  The  sword  of  the  Lord ! "  roared  the  boatswain,  as  he 
fractured  the  skull  of  a  third  with  the  mast  of  the  boat, 
which  with  herculean  force  he  now  whirled  round  his 
head. 

"  Fight,  Aspasias — you  fight  for  your  lives/'  cried  Seymour, 
who  was  everywhere  in  advance,  darting  the  still  burning  end 
:  f  the  large  spar  into  the  faces  of  his  antagonists,  who  recoiled 
with  suffocation  and  pain.  It  was,  indeed,  a  struggle  for  life  : 
the  rage  of  each  had  mounted  to  delirium.  The  English 
sailors,  stimulated  by  the  passions  of  the  moment,  felt  neither 
pain  nor  fatigue  from  their  previous  sufferings.  The  want  of 
weapons  had  been  supplied  by  their  clasp  knives,  to  which  the 
Irish  had  also  resorted,  and  deadly  wounds  were  given  and 
received. 

M'Dermot,  the  Irish  leader,  had  just  gained  the  mastery  of 
Debriseau,  bestriding  his  body  and  strangling  him,  with  his 
fingers  so  fixed  in  his  throat  that  they  seemed  deeply  to  have 
entered  into  the  flesh.  The  Guernsey  man  was  black  in  the 
face,  and  his  eyes  starting  from  their  sockets ;  in  a  few 
minutes  he  would  have  been  no  more,  when  the  mast  in  the 
hands  of  the  boatswain  descended  upon  the  Irishman's  head, 
and  dashed  out  his  brains.  At  the  same  moment  one  of  the 
Irishmen  darted  his  knife  into  the  side  of  Seymour,  who  fell, 
streaming  with  his  own  blood.  The  fate  of  their  officer,  which 
excited  the  attention  of  the  seamen,  and  the  fall  of  M'Dermot, 
on  the  opposite  side,  to  whose  assistance  the  Irish  immediately 
hastened,  added  to  the  suspension  of  their  powers  from  want 
of  breath,  produced  a  temporary  cessation  of  hostilities. 
Dragging  away  their  killed  and  wounded,  the  panting  anta- 
gonists retreated  to  the  distance  of  a  few  yards  from  each 
other,  tired,  but  not  satisfied  with  their  revenge,  and  fully 
intending  to  resume  the  strife  as  soon  as  they  had  recovered 
the  power.  But  a  very  few  seconds  had  elapsed,  when  they 
were  interrupted  by  a  third  party ;  and  the  clattering  of 
horses'  hoofs  was  immediately  followed  by  the  appearance  of 
375 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

a  female  on  horseback,  who,  galloping  past  the  Irishmen, 
reined  up  her  steed,  throwing  him  on  his  haunches,  in 
his  full  career,  in  the  space  between  the  late  contending 
parties. 

"  'Tis  the  daughter  of  the  House  ! "  exclaimed  the  Irishmen 
in  consternation. 

There  wanted  no  such  contrast  as  the  scene  described  to 
add  lustre  to  her  beauty,  or  to  enhance  her  charms.  Fair  as 
the  snow-drift,  her  cheeks  mantling  with  the  roseate  blush  of 
exercise  and  animation  ;  her  glossy  hair,  partly  uncurled,  and 
still  played  with  by  the  amorous  breeze,  hanging  in  long 
ringlets  down  her  neck ;  her  eye,  which  alternately  beamed 
with  pity  or  flashed  with  indignation,  as  it  was  directed  to 
one  side  or  the  other  ;  her  symmetry  of  form,  which  the 
close  riding-dress  displayed ;  her  graceful  movements,  as 
she  occasionally  restrained  her  grey  palfrey,  who  fretted  to 
resume  his  speed— all  combined  with  her  sudden  and  unex- 
pected appearance  to  induce  the  boatswain  and  his  men  to 
consider  her  as  superhuman. 

"She's  an  angel  of  light!"  muttered  the  boatswain  to 
himself. 

She  turned  to  the  Irish,  and  in  an  energetic  tone  addressed 
them  in  their  own  dialect.  What  she  had  said  was  unknown 
to  the  English  party,  but  the  effect  which  her  language  pro- 
duced was  immediate.  Their  weapons  were  thrown  aside,  and 
they  hung  down  their  heads  in  confusion.  They  made  an 
attempt  to  walk  away,  but  a  few  words  from  her  induced 
them  to  remain. 

The  fair  equestrian  was  now  joined  by  two  more,  whose 
pace  had  not  been  so  rapid  ;  and  the  boatswain,  who  had  been 
contemplating  her  with  astonishment  as  she  was  addressing 
the  Irish,  now  that  she  was  about  to  turn  towards  him 
recollected  that  some  of  his  men  were  not  exactly  in  a 
costume  to  meet  a  lady's  eye.  He  raised  his  call  to  his 
mouth,  and  with  a  sonorous  whistle  cried  out,  "  All  you 
without  trousers  behind  shealing,  hoy  !  "  an  order  immedi- 
ately obeyed  by  the  men  who  had  been  deprived  of  their 
habiliments. 

Conolly,  who  had  understood  the  conversation  which  had 
taken  place,  called  out  in  Irish,  at  the  same  time  as  he  walked 
round  behind  the  walls,  "  I  think  ye'll  be  after  giving  us  our 
376 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

duds  now,  ye  dirty  spalpeens,  so  bring  'um  wid  you  quick ; " 
a  request  which  was  immediately  complied  with,  the  clothes 
being  collected  by  two  of  the  Irish,  and  taken  to  the  men 
who  had  retired  behind  the  walls  of  the  shealing. 

Mr.  Hardsett  was  not  long  in  replying  to  her  interrogations, 
and  in  giving  her  an  outline  of  the  tragical  events  which  had 
occurred,  while  the  ladies,  trembling  with  pity  and  emotion, 
listened  to  the  painful  narrative. 

"  Are  you  the  only  officer,  then,  of  the  frigate  that  is  left  ?  " 

"  No,  madam,"  replied  the  boatswain  ;  "  the  third  lieutenant 
is  here ;  but  there  he  lies,  poor  fellow,  desperately  wounded 
by  these  men,  from  whom  we  expected  to  have  had  relief." 

"  What  was  the  name  of  your  frigate  ?  " 

"The  Aspasia,  Captain  M ." 

"  O  Heaven  ! "  cried  the  girl,  catching  at  the  collar  of  the 
boatswain's  coat  in  her  trepidation. 

"  And  the  wounded  officer's  name  ?  " 

"  Seymour." 

A  cry  of  anguish  and  horror  escaped  from  all  the  party  as 
the  beautiful  interrogatress  tottered  in  her  seat,  and  then  fell 
off  into  the  arms  of  the  boatswain. 

In  a  few  seconds,  recovering  herself,  she  regained  her  feet. 

"Quick,  quick — lead  me  to  him." 

Supported  by  Hardsett,  she  tottered  to  the  spot  where 
Seymour  lay,  with  his  eyes  closed,  faint  and  exhausted  with 
loss  of  blood,  attended  by  Robinson  and  Debriseau. 

She  knelt  down  by  his  side,  and  taking  his  hand,  which  she 
pressed  between  her  own,  called  him  by  his  name. 

Seymour  started  at  the  sound  of  the  voice,  opened  his  eyes, 
and  in  the  beauteous  form  which  was  reclining  over  him 
beheld  his  dear,  dear  Emily. 


877 


THE   KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  LVII 

Ah  me  !  what  perils  do  environ 
The  man  that  meddles  with  cold  iron ; 
What  plaguy  mischiefs  and  mishaps 
To  dog  him  still  with  after-claps. 

Hudibrca. 

J.HE   melancholy  loss   of  lives  which   we   have   detailed, 

occurred  upon  a  reef  of  rocks  close  to  Cape ,  on  the  coast 

of  Galway,  and  not  four  miles  from  the  castle  and  property 
held  by  Mr.  Rainscourt.  The  intelligence  had  been  communi- 
cated to  M'Elvina  by  some  of  his  tenants  early  in  the  morning 
of  the  day  on  which  the  survivors  had  gained  the  shore.  The 
western  gales,  sweeping  the  Atlantic,  and  blowing  with  such 
fury  on  the  coast,  would  not  permit  any  vegetation  or  culture 
so  near  the  beach ;  but  when  once  past  the  range  of  hills 
which  exposed  their  rugged  sides  as  barriers  to  the  blast,  the 
land  was  of  good  quality,  and  thickly  tenanted.  The  people 
were  barbarous  to  an  excess,  and  as  they  had  stated,  claimed 
a  traditionary  right  to  whatever  property  might  be  thrown 
up  from  the  numerous  wrecks  which  took  place  upon  the 
dangerous  and  iron-bound  coast.  This  will  account  for  the 
tragical  events  of  the  day. 

When  M'Elvina  was  informed  of  vessels  having  been 
stranded,  he  immediately  went  up  to  the  castle  to  procure  the 
means  of  assistance,  which  were  always  held  there  in  readi- 
ness, and  as  many  of  Rainscourt's  people  as  could  be  collected. 
This,  however,  required  some  little  delay  ;  and  Emily,  shocked 
at  the  imperfect  intelligence  which  had  been  conveyed  to 
her,  determined  to  ride  down  immediately,  in  company  with 
Mrs.  M'Elvina  and  a  young  friend  who  was  staying  with  her 
during  her  father's  absence.  On  their  arrival  at  the  sea- 
range  of  hills,  the  explosion  of  the  shealing,  and  subsequent 
conflict  between  the  parties,  met  their  eyes.  Emily's  fears 
and  knowledge  of  the  Irish  peasantry  immediately  suggested 
the  cause,  and  aware  of  her  influence  with  the  Rainscourt 
tenants,  she  made  all  the  haste  that  the  roads  would  permit 
to  arrive  at  the  spot,  galloping  down  the  hill  in  so  bold 
378 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

and  dexterous  a  style,  that  her  companions  neither  could 
nor  would  have  dared  to  keep  pace  with  her.  How 
fortunate  was  her  arrival  need  hardly  be  observed,  as  in 
all  probability  the  English  seamen  would  eventually  have 
been  sacrificed  to  the  cupidity  and  resentment  of  the 
natives. 

"  William,  do  you  know  me  ? "  whispered  Emily,  as  the 
tears  ran  down  her  cheeks,  and  her  countenance  betrayed 
the  anguish  of  her  mind. 

Seymour  pressed  the  small  white  hand  that  trembled  in 
his  own,  and  a  faint  smile  illuminated  his  features ;  but  the 
excitement  at  the  appearance  of  Emily  was  too  great — the 
blood  again  gushed  from  his  wound,  his  eyes  closed,  and  his 
head  fell  on  his  shoulder,  as  he  swooned  from  the  loss  of  blood. 

"O  God,  preserve  him  !"  cried  Emily,  clasping  her  hands, 
and  raising  her  eyes  to  heaven,  and  then  sinking  down  in 
mental  and  fervent  prayer 

"My  dear  M'Elvina,  I  am  so  glad  that  you  have  come  at 
last,"  said  Susan,  bursting  into  tears,  "  Look  at  whose  side 
Emily  is  kneeling — 'tis  William  Seymour,  dying." 

"Seymour!"  cried  M'Elvina,  who  had  but  that  moment 
arrived;  but  aware  of  the  importance  of  prompt  assistance, 
he  called  for  the  basket  containing  the  restorati/es,  and 
gently  removing  Emily,  he  took  her  situation  by  the  side 
of  our  wounded  hero. 

To  strip  off  his  clothes,  examine  the  wound,  bandage  it  so 
as  to  prevent  a  further  loss  of  blood,  and  pour  down  his  throat 
some  diluted  wine,  was  the  work  of  a  few  minutes.  Seymour, 
who  had  only  fainted,  reopened  his  eyes,  and  soon  showed 
the  good  effects  of  M'Elvina's  presence  of  mind. 

"  M'Elvina— is  it  not? — Did  not  I  see  Emily  ?" 

"  Yes,  you  did,  my  dear  fellow  ;  but  keep  quiet.  I  do  not 
think  your  wound  is  dangerous." 

"  I  am  better  now,  M'Elvina — much  better ;  but  I  must 
see  Emily." 

M'Elvina  thought  it  advisable  to  accede  to  his  wish,  and 
returned  to  his  wife,  who  was  supporting  the  fainting  girl 
A  glass  of  water,  the  assurance  that  Seymour  would  do  well 
if  not  too  much  agitated,  and  a  promise  exacted  from  her  to 
say  but  little,  was  followed  by  an  interview  which  had  a 
reviving  effect  upon  both. 

379 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

Medical  practitioners,  who  dive  into  the  inmost  recesses  of 
the  human  frame  in  pursuit  of  knowledge,  and  who  search 
through  the  mineral  and  vegetable  kingdom  for  relief,  when 
will  you  produce  a  balm  so  healing,  a  specific  so  powerful, 
an  elixir  so  instantaneous  or  restorative  as — joy  ? 

M'Elvina  was  in  the  meantime  occupied  in  preparations 
for  removing  the  wounded,  and  portioning  out  food  and 
necessaries  to  the  rest  of  the  party.  When  he  beheld  the 
sad  relics  in  the  shealing,  and  heard  from  the  boatswain  the 
tragical  events  of  the  day,  his  indignation  was  beyond  bounds. 
Seven  Frenchmen,  fifteen  Englishmen,  and  eight  Irishmen 
had  been  burnt  alive ;  three  Englishmen  and  five  Irishmen 
had  been  killed  in  the  affray;  making,  independently  of 
many  severely  wounded,  a  total  of  thirty-eight  who  had 
perished  on  this  disastrous  morning. 

The  Irish  who  had  attacked  them  were  all  tenants  of  the 
property  belonging  either  to  him  or  Rainscourt ;  an  immediate 
notice  to  quit  was  given  to  them  on  the  spot,  and  the  dreadful 
word  emigration  thundered  in  their  ears.  This  brought 
them  on  their  knees,  with  such  crying  and  beseeching,  such 
uncouth  and  ridiculous  gestures,  as  almost  to  create  a  laugh 
among  the  English  seamen  who  were  witnesses  to  the 
scene. 

"  Well,  if  them  ain't  funny  beggars,  I'll  be  blowed,"  cried 
one  of  the  English  seamen. 

"  Just  the  way  wid  'em,"  observed  Conolly,  "  all  honey  or 
all  vinegar — there's  never  a  good  turn  they  won't  do  ye  now. 
If  it  had  not  been  for  the  '  cratur,'  there  wouldn't  have  been 
this  blow-up." 

But  to  continue.  The  bodies  of  the  dead  in  the  shealing 
were  consigned  to  the  earth  as  they  lay,  the  four  walls  com- 
posing a  mausoleum  where  animosity  was  buried.  The  corpses 
of  M'Dermot  and  the  Irish  who  had  been  killed  in  the  con- 
flict were  removed  by  their  friends,  that  they  might  be 
waked.  By  the  direction  of  M'Elvina,  the  wounded  English 
were  carried  up  by  their  former  antagonists  to  the  small 
town  at  the  foot  of  the  castle,  where  surgical  assistance 
was  to  be  obtained.  Seymour  was  placed  on  a  sort  of  bier 
that  had  been  constructed  for  him,  Emily  and  her  com- 
panions riding  by  his  side ;  and  the  cavalcade  wound  up 
the  hill,  the  rear  brought  up  by  Mr.  Hardsett  and  the 
380 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

remainder  of  the  English  crew.  In  two  hours  all  were  at 
their  respective  destinations ;  and  Seymour,  who  had  been 
examined  by  the  surgeon  upon  his  arrival  at  the  castle,  and 
whose  wound  had  been  pronounced  by  no  means  dangerous, 
was  in  bed  and  fast  asleep,  Susan  and  Emily  watching  by 
his  side. 

Debriseau,  who  had  recognised  his  quondam  friend  M'Elvina, 
and  perceived  by  his  appearance,  and  the  respect  that  was 
shown  to  him,  that  he  had  been  more  fortunate  in  his  career 
since  they  had  parted  than  he  had  himself,  from  a  proud  feel- 
ing of  the  moment  did  not  make  himself  known.  That 
M'Elvina,  who  had  no  idea  of  meeting  him  in  such  a  quarter, 
should  not,  in  the  hurry  of  the  scene,  distinguish  his  former 
associate,  covered  as  he  was  with  dust  and  blood,  and  having 
the  appearance  more  of  a  New  Zealand  warrior  than  of  any 
other  living  being,  was  not  surprising — and  Debriseau  joined 
the  English  party  in  the  rear  of  the  cavalcade,  and  remained 
with  them  at  the  town,  while  M'Elvina  and  the  rest  of  the 
cortege  continued  their  route  to  the  castle  with  the  wounded 
Seymour. 

As  soon  as  our  hero's  wound  had  been  dressed,  and  the 
favourable  opinion  of  the  surgeon  had  been  pronounced, 
M'Elvina  rode  down  to  the  town  to  make  arrangements  for 
the  board  and  lodging  of  the  English  seamen.  It  was  then 
that  he  was  asked  by  Mr.  Hardsett,  what  was  to  be  done  with 
the  Frenchman  who  had  been  saved. 

"  Where  is  he  ?  "  demanded  M'Elvina. 

Debriseau  was  summoned  to  the  magistrate,  and  having 
cleaned  himself  of  the  dust  and  gore,  was  immediately  re- 
cognised. 

"  Debriseau  !  "  exclaimed  M'Elvina,  with  astonishment  and 
a  look  of  displeasure. 

"  Even  so,  Captain  M'Elvina,"  replied  Debriseau  haughtily  ; 
"  you  do  not  seem  very  well  pleased  at  meeting  an  old 
acquaintance." 

"  Captain  Debriseau,  will  you  do  me  the  favour  to  step  on 
one  side  with  me.  I  will  '  be  honest '  with  you,"  continued 
M'Elvina  to  the  Guernseyman,  when  they  were  out  of  hearing 
of  the  boatswain  and  the  rest,  "and  confess  that,  although  I 
wish  you  well,  I  was  not  pleased  at  meeting  with  you  here. 
You  addressed  me  as  Captain  M'Elvina — that  title  has  long 
381 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

been  dropped.  I  did  once  confide  to  you  the  secret  of  my 
former  life,  and  will  own,  what  I  little  imagined  at  the  time, 
that  I  have  in  consequence  put  it  into  your  power  to  do  me 
serious  injury.  You  must  now  listen  to  me,  while  I  give  you 
a  sketch  of  my  memoirs  from  the  time  that  we  parted  at 
Cherbourg." 

M'Elvina  then  entered  into  a  short  history  of  what  the 
reader  is  acquainted  with.  "Judge,  then,  Debriseau/'  pursued 
he,  "  if,  after  what  has  passed,  I  could  '  honestly '  say  that  I 
was  glad  to  see  you — who  not  only,  by  your  presence,  reminded 
me  of  my  former  irregularities,  but  had  the  "means,  if  you 
thought  proper,  of  acquainting  my  friends  and  acquaintances 
with  what  I  wish  I  could  forget  myself." 

"Captain — I  beg  your  pardon — Mr.  M'Elvina,"  replied 
Debriseau,  with  dignity,  "  I  will  be  as  honest  as  you.  I  am 
here  without  a  sous,  and  without  a  shirt,  and  when  I  leave 
this,  I  know  not  where  to  lay  my  hand  upon  either ;  but 
rather  than  betray  a  confidence  reposed  in  me,  rather  than 
injure  one  who  always  was  my  friend,  or,  what  is  still  more 
unworthy,  attempt  to  work  upon  your  fears  to  my  own 
advantage,  I  would  suffer  death,  nay,  more — Sacristie — I 
would  sooner  turn  custom-house  officer.  No,  no,  M'Elvina 
— Je  suis  Franqais,  moi — bah,  I  mean  I  am  a  true  Englishman. 
Never  mind  what  I  am — all  countries  are  alike,  if  a  man's 
heart  is  in  the  right  place.  I  sincerely  wish  you  joy  of  your 
good  fortune,  and  know  nobody  that  in  my  opinion  deserves 
it  more.  I  shall  go  to  prison  with  some  resignation  now  that 
I  know  you  have  been  so 'fortunate;  and  do  me  not  the 
injustice  to  imagine  that  you  will  ever  be  troubled  by  either 
seeing  or  hearing  from  me." 

"  I  waited  for  this  answer,  Debriseau :  had  you  made  any 
other,  I  would  have  run  the  risk  and  defied  you ;  nothing 
would  have  induced  me  to  have  offered  to  bribe  your  silence. 
But  I  rejoice  in  your  honest  and  manly  conduct — '  Honesty 
is  the  best  policy,'  Debriseau.  I  can  now  offer,  and  you  can 
accept,  without  blushing  on  either  side,  that  assistance  which 
I  have  both  the  power  and  will  to  grant.  There  is  no 
occasion  for  your  going  to  prison.  I  make  the  returns  as 
magistrate,  and  as  you  are  an  English  subject,  will  be 
answerable  for  the  omission.  We  are  too  far  from  the  world 
here  to  have  any  questions  asked.  And  now  let  me  know 
382 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

how  I  can  be  of  any  service  to  you,  for  my  purse  and  interest 
you  may  command." 

«  Well,  then,  to  tell  you  the  truth,  I  am  fit  for  nothing  on 
shore.  I  must  have  another  vessel,  if  I  can  get  one." 

"  Not  a  smuggling  vessel,  I  hope,"  replied  M'Elvina  gravely. 

"I  should  prefer  it  certainly.  Why,  there's  no  harm  in 
smuggling,  if  I  recollect  your  arguments  right,"  replied 
Debriseau,  smiling.  "  Do  you  remember  the  night  that  you 
convinced  me  ?  " 

"  I  do,  very  well,"  said  M'Elvina  ;  "  but  I  have  reconsidered 
the  subject,  and  I  have  one  little  remark  to  make,  which 
will  upset  the  whole  theory;  which  is,  that  other  people 
acting  wrong  cannot  be  urged  as  an  excuse  for  our  own 
conduct.  If  it  were,  the  world  would  soon  be  left  without 
virtue  or  honesty.  You  may  think  me  scrupulous  ;  but  I  am 
sincere.  Cannot  you  hit  upon  something  else  ?  " 

"Why,  I  should  have  no  objection  to  command  a  fine 
merchant  vessel,  if  I  could  obtain  such  a  thing." 

"  That  you  shall/'  replied  M'Elvina  ;  "  and  to  make  sure 
of  it,  and  render  you  more  independent,  you  shall  be  part 
owner.  Consider  it  as  une  affaire  arrangee.  And  now  allow 
me  to  offer  you  the  means  of  improving  your  personal  appear- 
ance— I  presume  the  leathern  bag  is  empty  ?  " 

"  Bah !  a  long  while  ago  After  I  had  lost  my  vessel,  I 
made  up  to  Mademoiselle  Picardon ;  I  thought  it  would  not 
be  a  bad  speculation- — but  she  never  forgave  me  kicking  that 
dirty  puppy  downstairs — little  beast  1 " 

"  Ah  1  you  forget  some  of  my  remarks,"  replied  M'Elvina, 
laughing — " '  Love  me,  love  my  dog.'  Now  oblige  me  by 
accepting  this  ;  and,  Debriseau  (excuse  me),  there's  a  capital 
barber  in  this  street.  Au  reooir." 


888 


THE  KING'S  OWN 


CHAPTER  LVHI 

Under  his  lordship's  leave,  all  must  be  mine. 

MIDDLETON. 

THE  first  moments  of  leisure  that  M'Elvina  could  obtain 
from  his  duties  were  employed  in  writing  to  the  vicar,  inform- 
ing him  of  the  reappearance  of  Seymour  under  such  peculiar 
circumstances,  and  requesting  his  immediate  presence,  that 
our  hero's  claims  to  the  property  of  Admiral  de  Courcy  might 
be  established.  As  before  observed,  Rainscourt  was  not  at 
the  castle,  nor  was  he  expected  for  some  days,  having  accepted 
an  invitation  to  join  a  shooting  party  some  miles  distant.  A 
letter  was  despatched  to  him  by  his  daughter,  detailing 
the  circumstances  of  the  shipwreck,  stating  that  the 
wounded  officer  was  in  the  castle,  and  that,  in  consequence, 
until  his  return  Mrs.  M'Elvina  would  remain  as  her  com- 
panion. 

Although  the  wound  that  Seymour  had  received  had  been 
pronounced  by  the  surgeon  not  to  be  of  a  dangerous  tendency, 
still  he  did  not  recover  so  rapidly  as  might  have  been  ex- 
pected from  his  youth  and  excellent  constitution.  The  fact 
was,  that  all  his  love  for  Emily,  who  was  constantly  at  his 
side,  and  could  not  conceal  her  regard  for  him,  had  returned 
with  tenfold  violence.  The  same  honourable  principle  which 
had  before  decided  him — that  of  not  taking  advantage  of 
her  prepossession  in  his  favour,  and  permitting  her  to  throw 
away  herself  and  her  large  fortune  upon  one  of  unknown 
parentage  and  penniless  condition  —  militated  against  his 
passion,  and  caused  such  a  tumult  of  contending  feelings,  as 
could  not  but  affect  a  person  in  his  weak  state.  A  slow 
fever  came  on,  which  retarded  the  cure,  and  even  threatened 
more  serious  consequences. 

Madame  de  Stae'l  has  truly  observed,  that  love  occupies 
the  whole  life  of  a  woman.  It  is  not  therefore  surprising 
that  women  should  be  more  skilful  in  detecting  the  symptoms 
of  it  in  others.  Mrs.  M'Elvina,  with  the  usual  penetration 
of  her  sex,  discovered  what  was  passing  in  the  mind  of 
Seymour,  and  communicated  her  suspicions  to  her  husband, 
884 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

As  for  some  days  the  health  of  our  hero  rather  declined  than 
improved,  M'Elvina  determined  to  entrust  him  with  the 
secret  of  his  birth,  which,  by  removing  all  difficulties,  he 
imagined  would  produce  a  beneficial  effect.  But  there  was 
one  point  which  JVTElvina  could  not  conceal  from  our  hero, 
which  was  the  melancholy  fact  of  his  father  having,  under 
an  assumed  name,  fallen  a  sacrifice  to  the  offended  laws 
of  his  country ;  and  the  knowledge  of  this  had  so  serious  an 
effect  upon  Seymour,  as  almost  to  neutralise  the  joy  arising 
from  the  rest  of  the  communication.  The  first  question 
which  he  asked  himself  was,  whether  Emily  would  or  ought 
to  marry  a  man  whose  father  had  perished  by  so  ignominious 
a  death  ;  and  now  that  all  other  impediments  to  his  making 
her  an  offer  of  his  hand  were  removed,  whether  that  circum- 
stance alone  would  not  be  an  insuperable  bar  to  their  union. 
Agitated  by  these  conflicting  doubts,  Seymour  passed  a  sleep- 
less night,  and  on  the  ensuing  morning  his  fever  had  alarm- 
ingly increased.  This  was  observed  by  the  surgeon,  who 
stated  that  he  could  not  account  for  it,  except  by  suppos- 
ing that  there  was  something  heavy  on  the  mind  of  his 
patient,  which,  unless  removed,  would  retard,  if  not  prevent, 
recovery. 

Susan,  who  with  her  husband  had  imagined  that  the  dis- 
closure which  had  taken  place  would  have  had  a  beneficial 
effect,  hastened  to  the  sick-chamber,  and  soon  persuaded  our 
hero  to  make  her  a  confidante  of  his  doubts  and  fears.  "  There 
is  but  one  who  can  satisfy  you  on  that  point,  my  dear  William," 
replied  she  ;  "  for  although  I  feel  convinced  that  I  can  answer 
for  her,  it  is  not  exactly  a  case  of  proxy — M'Elvina  will  be 
here  directly,  and  then  I  will  obtain  his  permission  to  disclose 
the  whole  to  Emily,  and  you  will  have  the  answer  from  her 
own  lips." 

In  the  course  of  the  forenoon  Emily  was  made  acquainted 
with  the  eventful  history  of  our  hero's  birth  and  parentage, 
of  her  no  longer  being  an  heiress,  of  his  ardent  love 
for  her,  and  of  the  fears  that  he  entertained  upon  the 
subject. 

"  I  am  only  sorry  for  one  thing,"  replied  Emily,  "  that  he 

did  not  ask  me  to  marry  him  when  I  thought  that  I  was  an 

heiress  ;  now,  if  I  accept  him,  I  am  afraid  it  may  be  thought 

— oh,  if  you  knew  how  I  have  loved  him,  how  I  have  thought 

385  2B 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

of  him  when  far  away/'  cried  the  sobbing  girl,  "  you  would 
not — no  one  would  think  me  capable  of  interested  motives. — 
I  am  so  glad  the  property  is  his/'  continued  Emily,  looking 
up,  and  smiling  through  her  tears. 

"  Why,  my  dear  Emily,  if  you  begin  to  make  difficulties,, 
we  shall  be  worse  than  ever.  There  never  was  a  more 
fortunate  occurrence  than  this  attachment  between  you 
and  Seymour.  It  reconciles  all  difficulties,  puts  an  end  to 
all  Chancery  suits,  and  will  shower  general  happiness,  when 
some  at  least  must  have  been  made  miserable.  Come  with 
me — William  is  very  feverish  this  morning  :  you  only  can  do 
him  good." 

Mrs.  M'Elvina  led  the  agitated  girl  into  the  sick-chamber, 
and  whispering  to  Seymour  that  Emily  knew  all,  and  that 
all  was  well,  was  so  very  imprudent  as  to  allow  her  feelings 
to  overcome  her  sense  of  chaperonism,  and  left  them 
together. 

I  am  aware  that  I  now  have  a  fair  opportunity  of  inserting 
a  most  interesting  conversation,  full  of  ohs  and  ahs,  dears  and 
sweets,  &c.,  which  would  be  much  relished  by  all  misses  of 
seventeen  or  thereabouts;  but  as  I  do  not  write  novels  for 
them,  and  the  young  couple  have  no  secrets  to  which  the 
reader  is  not  already  a  party,  I  shall  leave  them  to  imagine 
the  explanation,  with  all  its  concomitant  retrospections  and 
anticipations,  softened  with  tears  and  sweetened  with  kisses ; 
and  as  the  plot  now  thickens,  change  the  scene  to  the  dress- 
ing-room of  Rainscourt,  who  had  now  just  risen  at  his  usual 
hour,  viz.,  between  two  and  three  in  the  afternoon.  His 
French  valet  is  in  attendance  shaving  him  and  dressing  his 
hair,  and  communicating  what  little  intelligence  he  has  been 
enabled  to  collect  for  his  master's  amusement. 

"  Monsieur  has  not  seen  the  young  officer  who  was 
wounded  ?  " 

"  No ;  I  wonder  why  they  brought  him  up  here.  What 
sort  of  a  person  is  he  ?  " 

"  C'est  un  joli  garqon,  monsieur,  avec  Fair  bien  distingue. — I 
carried  in  the  water  this  morning  when  his  wound  was 
dressed,  for  I  had  the  curiosity  to  see  him — c'est  un  diable 
de  blessure — and  the  young  officer  has  a  very  singular  mark 
on  his  right  shoulder,  like — comment  I'appelez-vous  ? — pied  du 
corbeau." 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

Rainscourt  started  under  the  operation  of  the  razor;  he 
remembered  the  mark  of  the  grandchild,  so  minutely  de- 
scribed by  the  vicar. 

"  Pardon,  monsieur,  ce  nest  pas  ma  faute,"  said  the  valet, 
applying  a  napkin  to  stanch  the  blood  which  flowed  from  his 
master's  cheek. 

"It  was  not/'  replied  Rainscourt,  recovering  himself;  "I 
had  a  slight  spasm." 

The  operation  was  continued,  and  fortunately  had  just  been 
finished  when  the  valet  resumed — "  Et  rappelez-vous  Monsieur 

le  Vicaire  de .  //  est  arrive  hier  au  soir,  on  a  visit  to  Mr. 

M'Elvina." 

"  The  devil  he  is  I "  replied  Rainscourt,  springing  from  his 
chair  at  the  corroborating  incident  to  his  previous  ground  of 
alarm. 

The  astonished  countenance  of  the  valet  restored  the 
master  to  his  senses.  "  Bring  me  my  coffee — I  am  nervous 
this  morning." 

But  Rainscourt  had  not  long  to  endure  suspense.  He  had 
barely  finished  his  toilet,  when  he  was  informed  that  the 
vicar,  M'Elvina,  and  some  other  gentlemen  were  below,  and 
wished  to  speak  to  him.  Rainscourt,  anxious  to  know  the 
worst,  descended  to  the  library,  where  he  found  the  parties 
before  mentioned  accompanied  by  Debriseau  and  a  legal 
gentleman.  We  shall  not  enter  into  details.  To  the  dismay 
of  Rainscourt,  the  identity  of  our  hero  was  established  beyond 
all  doubt,  and  he  felt  convinced  that  eventually  he  should 
be  forced  to  surrender  up  the  property.  His  indignation 
was  chiefly  levelled  at  M'Elvina,  whom  he  considered  as  the 
occasion  of  the  whole,  not  only  from  having  rescued  our  hero 
from  the  wreck,  but  because  it  was  by  his  assertions,  corro- 
borated by  Debriseau,  that  the  chain  of  evidence  was  clearly 
substantiated.  M'Elvina,  who  from  long  acquaintance  had 
a  feeling  towards  Rainscourt  which  his  conduct  did  not 
deserve,  waited  only  for  his  acknowledgment  of  our  hero's 
claim  to  communicate  the  circumstance  of  the  attachment 
between  the  young  people,  which  would  have  barred  all 
further  proceedings,  and  have  settled  it  in  an  amicable 
arrangement. 

"Well,  gentlemen,"  observed  Rainscourt,  "if  you  can 
satisfactorily  prove  in  a  court  of  justice  all  you  have  now 
387 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

stated,  I  shall  of  course  bow  to  its  decision;  but  you  must 
excuse  me  if,  out  of  regard  to  my  daughter,  I  resist  until  the 
assertions  can  be  substantiated  on  oath.  You  cannot  expect 
otherwise." 

"We  do  not  expect  otherwise,  Mr.  Rainscourt,"  replied 
M'Elvina ;  "  but  we  think  it  will  not  be  necessary  that  it 
should  go  into  court." 

"  Mr.  M'Elvina,"  interrupted  Rainscourt  angrily,  "  I  wish 
no  observations  from  you.  After  your  intimacy  with  the 
family,  particularly  with  my  daughter,  who,  by  your  means, 
will  probably  forfeit  all  her  prospects,  I  consider  your  conduct 
base  and  treacherous.  You'll  excuse  my  ringing  the  bell  for 
the  servant  to  show  you  the  door." 

M'Elvina  turned  pale  with  rage.  "Then,  sir,  you  shall 
have  no  suggestions  from  me.  Come,  gentlemen,  we  will 
retire,"  continued  M'Elvina,  now  determined  that  Rains- 
court  should  be  left  in  ignorance  for  the  present ;  and  the 
parties  quitted  the  room,  little  contemplating  that  such  direful 
consequences  would  ensue  from  this  trifling  altercation. 


CHAPTER  LIX 

Was  there  ever  seen  such  villainy, 

So  neatly  plotted,  and  so  well  performed, 

Both  held  in  hand,  and  flatly  both  beguiled  ? 

Jew  of  Malta. 

J.  HE  feelings  of  Rainscourt  were  worked  up  to  desperation 
and  madness.  As  soon  as  the  party  had  quitted  the  room, 
he  paced  up  and  down,  clenching  his  fists  and  throwing 
them  in  the  air,  as  his  blood  boiled  against  M'Elvina,  whom 
he  considered  as  his  mortal  enemy.  To  send  him  a  challenge, 
with  the  double  view  of  removing  him  and  his  testimony 
and  at  the  same  time  of  glutting  his  own  revenge,  was  the 
idea  that  floated  uppermost  in  his  confused  and  heated  brain. 
To  surrender  up  the  estates;  to  be  liable  for  the  personal 
property  which  he  had  squandered ;  to  sink  at  once  from 
affluence  to  absolute  pauperism,  if  not  to  incarceration — it 
was  impossible.  He  continued  his  rapid  movement  to  and 
388 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

fro,  dividing  his  thoughts  between  revenge  and  suicide,  when 
a  tap  at  the  door  roused  him  from  his  gloomy  reveries.  It 
was  the  surgeon  who  attended  Seymour ;  he  came  to  pay 
his  respects,  and  make  a  report  of  his  patient's  health  to 
Rainscourt,  whom  he  had  not  seen  since  his  return  to  the 
castle. 

' '  Your  most  obedient,  sir.  I  am  sorry  that  my  patient  was 
not  so  well  when  I  saw  him  this  morning.  I  hope  to  find  him 
better  when  I  go  upstairs." 

"  Oh  !  "  replied  Rainscourt,  a  faint  gleam  of  deliverance 
from  his  dilemmas  shining  upon  his  dark  and  troubled 
mind. 

"  Yes,  indeed,"  replied  the  medical  gentleman,  who,  like 
many  others,  made  the  most  of  his  cases  to  enhance  the  value 
of  his  services ;  like  Tom  Thumb,  who  "  made  the  giants 
first,  and  then  killed  them  " — "  a  great  deal  of  fever,  indeed  ; 
I  do  not  like  the  symptoms.  But  we  must  see  what  we  can 
do." 

"  Do  you  think  that  there  is  any  chance  of  his  not  recover- 
ing?" asked  Rainscourt,  with  emphasis. 

"  It's  hard  to  say,  sir ;  many  much  worse  have  recovered, 
and  many  not  so  ill  have  been  taken  off.  If  the  fever  abates, 
all  will  go  well ;  if  it  does  not,  we  must  hope  for  the  best," 
replied  the  surgeon,  shrugging  up  his  shoulders. 

"  Then  he  might  die  of  the  wound,  and  fever  attend- 
ing it  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly  he  might.  He  might  be  carried  off  in 
twenty-four  hours." 

"  Thank  you  for  your  visit,  Mr.  B ,"  replied  Rains- 
court,  who  did  not  wish  for  his  further  company.  "  Good 
morning." 

"  Good  morning,  sir,"  replied  the  surgeon,  as  Rainscourt 
politely  bowed  him  out  of  the  room. 

Rainscourt  again  paced  up  and  down.  "  He  might  die  of 
this  fever  and  wound  in  twenty-four  hours.  There  could 
be  nothing  surprising  in  it ;  "  and  as  he  cogitated,  the  demon 
entered  his  soul.  He  sat  down  and  pressed  his  hands  to 
his  burning  temples,  as  he  rested  his  elbows  on  the  table 
many  minutes,  perplexed  in  a  chaotic  labyrinth  of  evil 
thoughts,  till  the  fiend  pointed  out  the  path  which  must 
be  pursued. 

389 


THE    KING'S  OWN 

He  summoned  the  old  nurse.  Those  who  have  lived  in, 
or  are  acquainted  with  the  peculiarities  and  customs  of,  the 
sister  kingdom,  must  know  that  the  attachment  of  the  lower 
Irish  to  their  masters  amounts  to  almost  self-devotion.  Norah 
had  nursed  Rainscourt  at  her  breast,  and  remaining  in  the 
family,  had  presided  over  the  cradle  of  Emily ;  adhering  to 
Rainscourt  in  his  poverty,  and  now,  in  the  winter  of  her  days, 
basking  in  the  sun  of  his  prosperity. 

"  The  blessings  of  the  day  upon  the  master,"  said  the  old 
woman,  as  she  entered. 

Rainscourt  locked  the  door.  "  Norah,"  said  he,  "  I  have 
bad  news  to  tell  you.  Are  you  aware  that  the  castle  is  no 
longer  mine  ?  " 

"  The  castle  no  longer  yours  !  Och  hone,"  replied  the  old 
woman,  opening  her  eyes  wide  with  astonishment. 

"  That  I  am  a  beggar,  and  shall  be  sent  to  prison  ?  " 

"  The  master  to  prison — Och  hone  ! " 

"  That  my  daughter  is  no  longer  an  heiress,  but  without 
a  shilling  ?  " 

"The  beautiful  child  without  a  shilling— Och  hone ! " 

"That  you  will  have  to  leave — be  turned  out  of  the 
castle  ?  " 

"  Me  turned  out  of  the  castle — Och  hone  ! " 

"  Yes,  Norah,  all  this  will  take  place  in  a  few  days." 

"  And  who  will  do  it  ?  " 

"  Why,  the  young  man  upstairs,  whose  life  we  are  saving. 
So  much  for  gratitude." 

"  Gratitude  !  Och  hone — and  so  young — and  so  beautiful, 
too,  as  he  is." 

"  But  he  may  die,  Norah." 

"Sure  enough  he  may  die,"  replied  the  old  woman, 
brightening  up  at  the  idea.  "It's  a  bad  fever  that's  on 
him." 

"  And  he  may  recover,  Norah." 

"  Sure  enough  he  may  recover/'  replied  she  mournfully ; 
;'he's  but  young  blood." 

"  Now,  Norah,  do  you  love  your  master  ?  do  you  love  your 
young  mistress  ?  " 

"  Do  I  love  the  master  and  the  mistress  ? "  replied  the 
old  woman  indignantly  ;  "  and  it's  you  that's  after  asking 
me  such  a  question  I " 

390 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

"  Can  you  bear  to  see  us  turned  out  of  house  and  home — 
to  be  cast  on  the  wide  world  with  poverty  and  rags  ?  Will 
you  permit  it,  when,  by  assisting  me,  you  can  prevent 
it?" 

"  Can  I  bear  it  ?  will  I  assist  ?  —  tell  me  the  thing  that 
you'd  have  me  do,  that's  all." 

"I  said  that  the  wounded  person  might  die — Norah,  he 
must  die." 

The  old  woman  looked  up  earnestly  at  Rainscourt's  face, 
as  if  to  understand  him.  "  I  see  !  " — then  remaining  with  her 
head  down  for  some  time,  as  if  in  cogitation,  she  again  looked 
up.  "  Will  Father  O'Sullivan  give  me  absolution  for  that  ?  " 

"  He  will — he  shall — I  will  pay  for  ten  thousand  masses  for 
your  soul  over  and  above." 

"  But  what  would  you  have  me  do — so  young  and  so  beau- 
tiful, too !  I'll  think  over  it  to-night.  I  never  sleep  much 
now,  the  rats  are  so  troublesome." 

"  Rats  ! "  cried  Rainscourt  ;  "why  not  get  some  arsenic  ?  " 

"  Arsenic ! "  echoed  the  old  woman ;  "  is  it  arsenic  for  the 
rats  you  mean?" 

"  Yes,"  replied  Rainscourt  significantly ;  "  for  all  sorts  of 
rats — -those  who  would  undermine  the  foundation  of  an  ancient 
house." 

"Sure  it's  an  old  house,  that  of  the  Rainscourts,"  replied 
the  nurse;  "but  I'm  giddy  a  little— I'll  think  a  bit."  In 
a  second  or  two  her  face  brightened  up  a  little.  "Why 
don't  you  marry  the  two  together  ?  Such  a  handsome  couple 
as  they'd  be  ! " 

"  Marry,  you  old  fool !  Do  you  think,  now  that  he  is  aware 
that  all  the  property  is  his,  that  he  would  marry  Emily,  with- 
out a  sixpence  ?  No — no." 

"  True — and  it's  the  arsenic  you  want,  then  ? — And  you're 
sure  that  the  priest  will  give  absolution  ?  " 

"  Sure,"  replied  Rainscourt,  out  of  patience  ;  "  come  to  me 
at  daylight  to-morrow  morning." 

"Well,  I'll  think  about  it  to-night  when  I'm  asleep. — And 
so  young,  and  so  beautiful,  too.  Och  hone  ! "  murmured  the 
old  woman,  as  she  unlocked  the  door,  and  with  tremulous 
gait  quitted  the  room. 

Rainscourt,  left  to  himself,  again  became  the  prey  to  con- 
flicting passions.  Although  his  conscience  had  long  been 
391 


THE   KING'S   OWN 

proof  against  any  remorse  at  the  commission  of  the  everyday 
crimes  which  stained  the  earth,  yet  it  recoiled  at  meditated 
^nurder.  More  than  once  he  determined  to  leave  it  all  to 
chance,  and  if  Seymour  did  recover,  to  fly  the  country  with 
all  the  money  he  could  raise ;  but  the  devil  had  possession, 
and  was  not  to  be  cast  out. 

The  door  was  again  opened,  and  Emily,  radiant  with  happi- 
ness after  the  interview  with  Seymour,  in  which  she  had 
plighted  and  received  the  troth  of  her  beloved,  entered  the 
room. 

"My  dear  father,  Mr.  Seymour  is  so  much  better  this 
evening." 

"  Would  he  were  in  his  grave ! "  replied  Rainscourt 
bitterly. 

Emily  had  come  in  at  the  request  of  Seymour  to  state  to 
her  father  what  had  taken  place,  but  his  violent  exclamation 
deterred  her.  She  thought  that  it  was  not  a  favourable 
moment,  and  she  retired,  wishing  him  good-night,  with  no 
small  degree  of  indignation  expressed  in  her  countenance  at 
his  iniquitous  wish.  She  retired  to  her  chamber;  her  anger 
was  soon  chased  away  by  the  idea  that  it  was  for  her  sake 
that  her  father  was  so  irritated,  and  that  to-morrow  all  would 
be  well.  Bending  to  her  Creator  in  gratitude  and  love,  and 
not  forgetting  Seymour  in  her  orisons,  she  laid  her  head  upon 
her  pillow,  and  visions  of  future  happiness  filled  her  dreams  in 
uninterrupted  succession. 

Enjoy  them,  beautiful  and  innocent  one  !  Revel  in  them, 
if  it  were  possible,  to  satiety,  for  they  are  thy  last  enjoyment. 
How  much  would  the  misery  of  this  world  be  increased,  if 
we  were  permitted  to  dive  into  futurity.  The  life  of  a  man 
is  a  pilgrimage  in  error  and  in  darkness.  The  ignis  fafuus 
that  he  always  pursues  always  deceives  him  ;  yet  he  is  warned 
in  vain — at  the  moment  of  disappointment,  he  resolves,  sees 
another,  and  pursues  again.  The  fruit  is  turned  to  ashes  in 
his  mouth  at  the  fancied  moment  of  enjoyment — warning 
succeeds  warning — disappointment  is  followed  up  by  disap- 
pointment— every  grey  hair  in  his  head  may  be  considered  as 
a  sad  memento  of  dear-bought  yet  useless  experience — still 
he  continues,  spurred  on  by  Hope,  anticipating  everything, 
in  pursuit  of  nothing,  until  he  stumbles  into  his  grave,  and 
all  is  over. 

392 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

Little  did  M'Elvina  and  the  vicar  think  what  the  conse- 
quences would  be  of  their  leaving  Rainscourt  in  his  wrath. 
Little  did  Rainscourt  and  the  nurse  imagine  how  dreadful  and 
how  futile  would  be  the  results  of  their  wicked  intentions. 
Little  did  the  enamoured  and  guileless  pair,  who  now 
slumbered  in  anticipated  bliss,  contemplate  what,  in  the 
never-ceasing  parturition  of  time,  the  morrow  would  bring 
forth. 

Early  in  the  morning,  Rainscourt,  who  was  awake,  and  who 
had  not  taken  off  his  clothes,  was  startled  by  a  low  tapping  at 
his  door.  It  was  the  nurse. 

"  Well,"  said  Rainscourt  hastily,  "  have  you  procured  what 
we  were  talking  of  ?  " 

"  I  have  indeed ;  but — 

"  No  buts,  Norah,  or  we  part  for  ever.  Where  is  it  ?  Who 
is  with  him  ?  " 

"  One  of  the  women.  I  tould  her  I  would  nurse  him  after 
daylight." 

"  When  does  he  take  his  fever  draughts  ?  " 

"  Every  two  hours — Och  hone,  he'll  take  but  one  more. 
So  young,  and  so  beautiful,  too." 

"  Silence,  fool ;  go  and  send  the  other  woman-  to  bed,  and 
then  bring  in  one  of  the  draughts." 

The  old  nurse  turned  back  as  she  was  hobbling  away — 

*'  And  the  absolution  ?  " 

"Away,  and  do  as  I  order  you,"  cried  Rainscourt,  with 
violence. 

"  Blessed  Jesus,  don't  talk  so  loud  !  It's  the  whole  house 
will  hear  you,"  said  the  hag  beseechingly,  as  she  left  the 
room. 

She  returned  with  the  draught.  Rainscourt  poured  in  the 
powder,  and  shook  it  with  desperation. 

"  Now  this  is  the  first  draught  he  must  take ;  give  it  him 
directly." 

"  Och  hone  ! "  cried  the  old  woman,  as  she  received  the 
vial  in  her  trembling  hands. 

"  Go,  and  come  back  and  tell  me  when  he  has  taken  it." 

Norah  left  the  room.  Rainscourt  waited  her  return  in  a 
state  of  mind  so  horribly  painful,  that  large  drops  of  perspira- 
tion poured  from  his  forehead.  At  one  moment  he  would 
have  recalled  her — the  next  beggary  stared  him  in  the  feet, 
393 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

and  his  diabolical  resolution  was  confirmed.  His  agony  of 
suspense  became  so  intense,  that  he  could  wait  no  longer. 
He  went  to  the  door  of  the  sick-chamber,  and  opening  it 
gently,  looked  in. 

The  old  woman  was  sitting  down  on  the  floor,  crouched, 
with  her  elbows  on  her  knees,  and  her  face  and  head  covered 
over  with  her  cloak.  The  noise  of  the  hinges  startled  her  ; 
she  uncovered  her  head  and  looked  up.  Rainscourt  made 
signs  to  her,  inquiring  whether  he  had  taken  the  draught. 
She  shook  her  head.  He  pointed  his  finger  angrily,  desiring 
her  to  give  it.  The  old  woman  sank  on  her  knees  and  held 
up  her  hands  in  supplication.  Rainscourt  beckoned  her  out 
— she  followed  him  to  his  own  room. 

"  Do  you  see  these  pistols  ?  "  said  Rainscourt — "  they  are 
loaded.  Immediately  obey  my  orders — promise  me,  on  your 
soul,  that  you  will,  or  you  shall  be  the  occasion  of  your 
master's  death.  Swear ! "  continued  he,  putting  one  of  the 
pistols  to  his  ear  and  his  finger  to  the  trigger. 

"  I  will  do  it — on  my  soul  I  will,  master  dear,"  cried 
Norah.  "  Only  put  away  the  pistols,  and  if  he  were  thou- 
sands more  beautiful,  and  if  my  soul  is  to  be  burnt  for  ever, 
I'll  do  it." 

Again  she  returned  to  the  chamber  of  the  victim,  fol- 
lowed by  Rainscourt,  who  stood  at  the  door  to  fortify  her 
resolution. 

Seymour  was  awoke  by  the  old  beldame — from  a  dream 
in  which  the  form  of  Emily  blessed  his  fancy — to  take  the 
fatal  draught  now  poured  out  and  presented  to  him.  Ac- 
customed to  the  febrifuge  at  certain  hours,  he  drank  it  off  in 
haste,  that  he  might  renew  his  dreaming  happiness.  "  What 
is  it  ?  It  burns  my  throat !  "  cried  Seymour. 

"  It's  not  the  like  of  what  you  have  taken  before,"  said  the 
old  woman,  shuddering  as  she  offered  him  some  water  to  take 
the  taste  away. 

"  Thank  you,  nurse,"  said  Seymour,  as  he  again  sank  on  his 
pillow. 


39* 


THE   KING'S   OWN 


CHAPTER  LX 

Hor.  You  see  he  is  departing. 

Corn.  Let  me  come  to  him  ;  give  me  him  as  he  is.  If  he  be  turned 
to  earth,  let  me  but  give  him  one  hearty  kiss,  and  you  shall  put  us  both 
into  one  coffin.— WEBSTER, 

J.T  was  but  a  few  minutes  after  the  scene  described  in  the 
last  chapter,  that  Emily  awoke  from  her  slumbers,  and  chid 
the  sun  for  rising  before  her  As  soon  as  she  was  dressed, 
she  descended  to  inquire  after  the  health  of  him  whose  fate 
was  now  entwined  with  her  own.  She  gently  opened  the 
door  of  the  room.  The  shutters  were  yet  closed,  but  the 
sun  poured  his  rays  through  the  chinks,  darting,  in  spite 
of  the  obstruction,  a  light  which  rendered  the  night-lamp 
useless.  The  curtains  of  the  bed  were  closed,  and  all  was 
quiet.  Norah  sat  upon  the  floor,  her  eyes  fixed  upon  the 
ceiling  with  wild  and  haggard  look,  and  as  she  passed  the 
beads  which  she  was  telling  from  one  finger  to  the  other  (her 
lips  in  rapid  and  convulsive  motion,  but  uttering  no  sound),  it 
appeared  as  if  she  thought  the  remnant  of  her  life  too  short 
for  the  prayers  which  she  had  to  offer  to  the  throne  above. 

Emily,  having  in  vain  attempted  to  catch  her  eye,  and 
fearful  of  waking  Seymour,  tripped  gently  across,  and  pushed 
the  nurse  by  the  shoulder,  beckoning  her  out  of  the  chamber. 
Norah  followed  her  mistress  into  an  opposite  room,  when 
Emily,  who  had  been  alarmed  by  the  behaviour  of  the  old 
woman,  spoke  in  a  low  and  hurried  tone.  "  Good  heavens, 
what  is  the  matter,  Norah  ?  You  look  so  dreadful.  Is  he 
worse  ?  " 

"  Och  hone ! "  said  the  nurse,  her  thoughts  evidently 
wandering. 

"  Tell  me,  nurse — answer  me,  is  he  worse  ?  " 

"I  don't  know,"  replied  Norah  ;  "the  doctor  will  tell." 

"  O  God,  he's  worse — I'm  sure  he  is,"  cried  Emily,  burst- 
ing into  tears.  "  What  will  become  of  me  if  my  dear,  dear 
Seymour— — " 

"  Your  dear  Seymour  ?  "  cried  the  startled  Norah. 

"  Yjes,  my  dear  Seymour.     I  did  not  tell  you — I  love  him, 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

nurse — he  loves  me — we  have  plighted  our  troth  ;  and  if  he 
dies,  what  will  become  of  me  ?  "  continued  the  sobbing  girl. 

"  Och  hone  !  and  is  it  the  truth,  and  the  real  truth,  that 
you're  telling  me,  and  was  he  to  be  your  husband  ?  " 

"  Was  he  ! — he  is,  Norah.  What  did  you  mean  by  was  he  ?  " 
cried  Emily,  in  hurried  accents,  seizing  the  old  woman  by  the 
wrist,  with  a  look  of  fearful  anxiety. 

"  Did  1  say,  was  he  ?  I  did,  sure  enough,  and  it's  true  too. 
I  thought  to  do  my  darling  a  service,  and  I  cared  little  for  my 
own  soul.  So  young,  and  so  beautiful,  too.  And  it's  a  nice 
pair  ye  would  have  made.  And  it's  I  that  have  kilt  him ! 
Och  hone  ! "  cried  Norah,  wringing  her  withered  hands. 

"  Killed  him,  Norah  !  What  have  you  done  ? — tell  me 
directly,"  screamed  Emily,  shaking  the  old  hag  with  all  her 
force.  "  Quick  !  " 

The  old  nurse  seemed  to  have  all  the  violence  of  her 
mistress's  feelings  communicated  to  her  as  she  cried  out, 
with  a  face  of  horror,  "It  was  all  for  ye  that  I  did  it.  It's 
the  master  that  made  me  do  it.  He  said  my  darling  would 
be  a  beggar.  It's  the  poison  for  the  rats  he's  taken.  Och, 
och  hone  ! "  and  the  old  woman  sank  on  the  floor,  covering 
up  her  head,  while  Emily  flew  shrieking  out  of  the  room. 

When  M'Elvina  and  his  party  quitted  the  castle,  they 
returned  to  M'Elvina's  house.  "  I  cannot  but  pity  Mr. 
Rainscourt,"  observed  the  vicar ;  "  indeed,  I  wish  that,  not- 
withstanding his  violence,  we  had  not  quitted  him  without 
making  the  communication." 

"So  do  I,"  replied  M'Elvina;  "but  the  injustice  of  his 
accusation  prevented  me ;  and  I  must  confess  that  I  have 
some  pleasure  in  allowing  him  to  remain  twenty-four  hours 
in  suspense — longer  than  that,  not  even  my  revenge  has 
stomach  for." 

"I  am  afraid,"  observed  Debriseau,  "that  we  have  done 
unwisely.  The  violence  and  selfishness  of  the  man's  character 
are  but  too  well  known,  and  Seymour  is  in  his  power." 

"  Do  not  be  so  uncharitable,  sir,"  replied  the  vicar  gravely. 
"  Mr.  Rainscourt,  with  all  his  faults,  is  incapable  of  anything 
so  base  as  what  you  have  hinted  at." 

"  I  trust  I  have  done   him  injustice,"  replied  Debriseau ; 
"but   I   saw  that  in   his   eye,  during  the  interview,  which 
chilled  my  blood  when  I  thought  of  your  young  friend."- 
396 


THE   KING'S  OWN 

"At  all  events,  when  I  go  tip  to-morrow  morning  to  see 
how  Seymour  is,  I  think  it  will  be  right  to  inform  Mr.  Rains- 
court  of  the  facts.  I  shall  be  there  by  daylight.  Will  you 
accompany  me,  sir  ?  "  said  M'Elvina  to  the  vicar. 

"  With  pleasure/'  replied  the  other ;  and  from  this  ar- 
rangement the  vicar  and  M'Elvina  were  at  the  castle,  and 
had  sent  their  cards  in  to  Mr.  Rainscourt  at  the  very 
time  that  Emily  had  beckoned  the  old  nurse  out  of  the 
chamber. 

As  long  as  the  deed  still  remained  to  be  done,  the 
conflict  between  the  conscience  and  the  evil  intentions  of 
Rainscourt  had  been  dreadful  ;  but  now  that  it  was  done, 
now  that  the  Rubicon  had  been  passed,  to  listen  to  the 
dictates  of  conscience  was  useless ;  and  worn  -  out  as 
it  had  been  in  the  struggle,  and  further  soothed  by  the 
anticipation  of  continued  prosperity,  it  no  longer  had  the 
power  to  goad  him.  In  short,  conscience  for  the  time 
had  been  overcome,  and  Rainscourt  enjoyed  after  the 
tempest  a  hollow  and  deceitful  calm,  which  he  vainly 
hoped  would  be  continued. 

When  M'Elvina  and  the  vicar  were  announced,  he 
thought  it  prudent  to  receive  them.  The  bottle  of  brandy, 
to  which  he  had  made  frequent  applications  during  the 
morning,  was  removed ;  and  having  paid  some  slight  atten- 
tion to  his  person,  he  requested  that  they  would  walk  up 
into  his  dressing-room.  When  they  entered,  the  violence 
of  the  preceding  day  was  no  longer  to  be  perceived  in 
his  countenance,  which  wore  the  appearance  of  mental 
suffering.  The  consciousness  of  guilt  was  mistaken  for 
humility,  and  the  feelings  of  both  M'Elvina  and  the  vicar 
were  kindly  influenced  towards  Rainscourt. 

"Mr.  Rainscourt,"  said  the  former,  "we  pay  you  this 
early  visit  that  we  may  have  the  pleasure  of  relieving 
your  mind  from  a  weight  which  it  is  but  too  evident 
presses  heavily  upon  it.  We  think,  when  you  hear  what 
we  have  to  impart,  you  will  agree  with  us,  that  there  will 
be  no  occasion  for  litigation  or  ill-will.  Mr.  Seymour  and 

Cir  daughter  have  repeatedly  met  before  this,  and  have 
g    been    attached    to   each    other;    and    although    Mr. 
Seymour  was   too   honourable   to   make   your   daughter   an 
offer  at  the  time  that  he  was  friendless  and  unknown,  yet 
397 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

the  very  first  moment  after  he  became  acquainted  with 
the  change  in  his  circumstances  he  made  a  proposal,  and 
was  accepted.  I  presume  there  can  be  no  objections  to  the 
match ;  and  allow  us,  therefore,  to  congratulate  you  upon  so 
fortunate  a  termination  of  a  very  unpleasant  business." 

Rainscourt  heard  it  all  —  it  rang  in  his  ears  —  it  was 
torture,  horrible  torture.  When  they  thought  that  his  eye 
would  beam  with  delight,  it  turned  glassy  and  fixed ;  when 
they  thought  that  his  features  would  be  illumined  with 
smiles,  they  were  distorted  with  agony ;  when  they  thought 
that  his  hands  would  be  extended  to  seize  theirs,  offered 
in  congratulation,  they  were  clenched  with  the  rigidity  of 
muscle  of  the  drowning  man. 

The  vicar  and  M'Elvina  looked  at  him  and  each  other 
in  dismay ;  but  their  astonishment  was  not  to  last.  The 
door  burst  open,  and  the  frantic  and  shrieking  Emily  flew 
into  the  room,  exclaiming,  ft  They  have  murdered  him ! 
O  God  !  they  have  poisoned  him.  My  father — my  father 
— how  could  you  do  it?"  continued  the  girl,  as  she  sank 
without  animation  on  the  floor. 

The  vicar,  whose  brain  reeled  at  the  dreadful  intelligence, 
had  scarcely  power  to  move  to  the  assistance  of  Emily  ;  while 
M'Elvina,  whose  feelings  of  horror  were  mingled  with  indig- 
nation, roughly  seized  Rainscourt  by  the  collar,  and  detained 
him  his  prisoner. 

"  I  am  so,"  calmly  replied  Rainscourt,  who,  stunned  by  the 
condition  of  his  daughter,  the  futility  and  blindness  of  his 
measures,  and  the  unexpected  promulgation  of  his  guilt, 
offered  no  resistance.  "  Had  you  made  your  communication 
yesterday,  sir,  this  would  not  have  happened.  I  surrender 
m  self  up  to  justice.  You  have  no  objection  to  my  retiring 
a  few  minutes  to  my  bedroom,  till  the  officers  come — I 
have  papers  to  arrange?" 

M'Elvina  acceded ;  and  Rainscourt,  bowing  low  for  the 
attention,  went  into  the  adjoining  room  and  closed  the  door. 
A  few  seconds  had  but  elapsed  when  the  report  of  a  pistol 
was  heard.  M'Elvina  rushed  in,  and  found  Rainscourt  dead 
upon  the  floor,  the  gorgeous  tapestry  besprinkled  with  the 
blood  and  brains  of  the  murderer  and  the  suicide. 

One  more  scene  and  all  is  over.  Draw  up  the  curtain, 
and  behold  the  chamber  in  which,  but  the  evening  before, 
398 


THE  KING'S  OWN 

two  souls,  as  pure  as  ever  spumed  the  earth  and  flew  to 
heaven  —  two  forms,  perfect  as  ever  Nature  moulded  in 
her  happiest  mood — two  hearts,  that  beat  responsive  with- 
out one  stain  of  self — two  hands,  that  plighted  troth, 
and  vowed  and  meant  to  love  and  cherish,  with  all  that 
this  world  could  offer  in  possession— health,  wealth,  power 
of  intellect  and  cultivated  minds  —  Joy  and  Love  hand 
in  hand  smiling  on  the  present — Hope,  with  her  gilded 
wand,  pointing  to  futurity  —  all  vanished  !  And  in  their 
place,  standing  like  funeral  mourners,  at  each  corner  of 
the  bed,  Misery  —  Despair  —  Agony  —  and  Death  ! —  Woe, 
woe,  too  great  for  utterance — all  is  as  silent,  as  horribly 
silent,  as  the  grave  yawning  for  its  victim. 

M'Elvina  and  Susan  are  supporting  the  sufferer  in  his 
last  agonies ;  and  as  he  writhes,  and  his  beseeching  eyes 
are  turned  towards  them,  supply  the  water,  which  but 
for  a  moment  damps  the  raging  fire  within. 

The  surgeon  has  retired  from  his  useless  and  painful  task — 
habituated  to  death,  but  not  to  such  a  scene  as  this. 

The  vicar,  anxious  to  administer  religious  balm,  knows  that 
in  excruciating  torture  his  endeavours  would  be  vain,  and  the 
tears  roll  down  his  cheeks  as  he  turns  away  from  a  sight 
which  his  kind  heart  will  not  allow  him  to  behold. 

Emily  is  on  her  knees,  holding  Seymour's  hand,  wThich 
even  in  his  agony  he  attempts  not  to  remove.  Her  face  is 
lying  down  upon  it,  that  she  may  not  behold  his  sufferings. 
She  speaks  not — moves  not — weeps  not — all  is  calm — deceit- 
ful calm — her  heart  is  broken  ! 

And  there  he  lies — "  the  young,  the  beautiful,  the  brave  " 

in  one  short  hour  to  be 

"  A  thing 
O'er  which  the  raven  flaps  her  funeral  wing." 


THE  PIRATE.     THE   THREE  CUTTERS 


INTRODUCTION 

J^O  prolific  a  writer  as  Captain  Marryat  must  needs  be  a  little 
unequal,  and  even  his  most  fervent  admirers  would  probably 
admit  that  in  "  The  Pirate  "  and  «  The  Three  Cutters  "  he  falls 
very  far  below  the  level  of  "  Midshipman  Easy."  Careless 
as  he  shows  himself  at  all  times  in  construction,  and  indif- 
ferent as  to  the  methods  whereby  he  gets  his  heroes  on  to 
the  high  sea  and  into  the  track  of  desperate  adventures,  he 
does  not  often  make  such  unblushing  use  of  the  doctrine  of 
coincidence  as  in  the  first  of  the  two  stories  presented  here 
together.  Possibly  readers  sixty  years  since  were  more 
credulous  and  less  sophisticated.  It  would  be  difficult  now 
to  find  a  similar  instance  of  this  method  of  treatment,  unless, 
perhaps,  in  the  hardiest  of  Christmas  Annuals ;  even  the 
voracious  appetite  of  the  fourth  form  schoolboy  would,  we 
fear,  reject  such  simple  fare,  and  probably  not  unjustly  de- 
scribe its  successor  as  "  rot."  For  "  The  Three  Cutters  "  is 
farce  pure  and  simple,  and  "The  Pirate,"  perhaps,  finds  its 
closest  modern  parallel  in  the  contemporary  comic  opera. 
Where  else  are  we  likely  to  find  twin  babies  lost  at  sea,  and 
saved  to  become,  one  a  lieutenant  in  his  Majesty's  Navy, 
and  the  other  the  supposed  son  of  a  pirate  captain,  seeking 
each  his  fortune  upon  one  of  a  pair  of  twin-built  schooners, 
the  Enterprise,  of  his  Majesty's  service,  and  the  Avenger,  sailing 
under  the  redoubtable  black  flag?  It  only  requires  a  few 
v 


INTRODUCTION 

for  the  suggestive  allusion,  we  incline  to  the  incongruous 
juxtaposition,  and  who  shall  judge  of  the  respective  merits  of 
the  old  and  new  humour? 

"The  Three  Cutters"  needs  little  introduction,  andprobably 
at  no  time  aroused  any  very  keen  interest.  It  affords  Captain 
Marryat  an  opportunity  of  eulogising  yachting  as  a  pastime, 
and  delivering  his  soul  of  certain  sentiments  not  wholly 
adverse  to  smuggling.  For  the  rest,  the  fortunes  of  the 
yacht,  the  smuggling  schooner,  and  the  revenue  cutter  yield 
but  a  mild  degree  of  entertainment ;  and  though  the  gentle- 
man smuggler,  dressed  in  the  clothes  of  the  noble  lord,  wins 
the  heart  of  the  fastidious  widow,  it  must  be  confessed  that 
to  modern  readers  he  does  not  appear  a  very  romantic  or 
heroic  figure. 

W.  L.  C. 

December  1896. 


CONTEXTS 


PAGE 

MEMOIR    OF   THE    AUTHOR XI 


THE  PIRATE— 

CHAP. 

I.    THE    BAY    OF    BISCAY 1 

II.    THE    BACHELOR  ...             ....  7 

III.  THE    GALE 16 

IV.  THE    LEAK 21 

V.    THE    OLD    MAID  .......  29 

VI.    THE    MIDSHIPMAN 37 

vn.  SLEEPER'S  BAY 42 

VIII.    THE    ATTACK         .  .  ...  .53 

IX.    THE    CAPTURE 61 

X.    THE    SAND-BANK 78 

XI.    THE    ESCAPE 84 

XII.    THE    LIEUTENANT 93 

XIII.  THE    LANDING 100 

XIV.  THE    MEETING      .  .  .  .  .  .  -112 

XV.    THE    MISTAKE 122 

ix 


CONTENTS 

OHAP.  »«• 

XVI.    THE    CAICOS        .......  132 

XVII.    THE   TRIAL         .            .            .            .             •            •             •  145 

XVIII.    CONCLUSION        .             .             .            •            •            •             •  158 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS— 

I.    CUTTER   THE    FIRST        .            »           .            .            .             .  169 

II.    CUTTER   THE    SECOND    ......  181 

III.  CUTTER   THE    THIRD      ......  188 

IV.  PORTLAND    BILL   .......  195 

V.    THE   TRAVESTIE    .......  204 

VI.  THE    SMUGGLING    YACHT           .....  215 

VII.  CONCLUSION             .......  222 


MEMOIR 


CAPTAIN  FREDERICK  MARRYAT 

K.N.,   C.B.,    T.R.S.,   F.L.S. 

AND  CHEVALIER  OF  THE  LEGION  OF  HONOUR 

FREDERICK  MARRYAT  was  bom  ioth  July  1792,  in 

London.  He  was  second  son  of  the  late  Joseph  Marryat, 
Esq.,  of  Wimbledon  House,  Surrey,  an  eminent  West  India 
merchant,  M.P.  for  Sandwich,  and  Colonial  Agent  for  the  island 
of  Grenada,  by  Charlotte,  third  daughter  of  the  late  Fred. 
Geyer,  Esq.,  a  distinguished  American  loyalist,  who  suffered 
severely  from  the  steadiness  of  his  attachment  to  the  cause  of 
Great  Britain  during  the  struggle  with  her  revolted  colonies. 

The  family  trace  their  descent  from  Le  Sieur  Thos.  Marri- 
atte,  a  Protestant  native  of  Normandy,  and  an  officer  in  the 
Huguenot  army  (under  Admiral  Coligny),  who  having  escaped 
the  massacre  of  St.  Bartholomew,  24th  August  1572,  fled  to 
England  with  the  loss  of  all  his  property. 

The  subject  of  our  memoir,  having  acquired  the  rudiments 
of  education  at  an  academy  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the 
metropolis,  was  sent  to  a  classical  school  at  Ponder's  End, 
kept  by  a  Mr.  Freeman.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  disci- 
pline of  the  school  described  by  the  hero  of  his  earliest  novel, 
is  no  true  picture  of  the  treatment  he  experienced  at  Ponder's 
End;  but  the  following  anecdote  suggests  that  whatever 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N. 

punishments  may  have  been  in  course  of  infliction  at  that 
seat  of  learning,  he  was  likely  to  have  come  in  for  his  due 
share  of  them.  The  master,  coming  into  the  school  one  day, 
saw  young  Marryat  standing  upon  his  head.  Surprised  at 
this  reversal  of  the  ordinary  practice  of  mortals,  he  inquired 
the  reason  of  it,  when  the  lad  with  audacious  readiness 
replied,  "  I  had  been  trying  for  three  hours  to  learn  my  lesson 
on  my  feet,  but  I  couldn't ;  so  I  thought  I'd  try  whether  I 
couldn't  learn  it  on  my  head."  There  is  no  reason  to  doubt 
him  when  he  says,  "  Superior  in  capacity  to  most  of  my 
school-fellows,  I  seldom  took  the  pains  to  learn  my  lesson 
previous  to  going  up  with  my  class.  I  was  too  proud  not 
to  keep  pace  with  my  equals,  and  too  idle  to  do  more."  But 
he  acknowledges  that  besides  "a  little  Latin  and  less  Greek," 
he  made  some  proficiency  in  mathematics  and  algebra. 

Withdrawn  from  this  school,  he  was  placed  with  a  teacher 
of  mathematics  in  London,  under  whose  tuition  he  remained 
a  year,  and  on  the  23rd  September  1806,  he  entered  the 
navy  as  a  midshipman  on  board  the  Imperieuse,  forty-four 
guns,  commanded  by  the  illustrious  Lord  Cochrane.  During 
his  service  under  this  gallant  officer,  which  lasted  till  the 
18th  October  1809,  he  took  part  in  more  than  fifty  engage- 
ments, in  which  many  ships  of  war  and  merchantmen  were 
cut  out,  off  the  coast  of  France  and  in  the  Mediterranean. 

Having  chased  a  ship  into  the  Bay  of  Arcupon,  which 
sought  safety  under  a  battery,  Lord  Cochrane  resolved  to  cut 
her  out,  and  young  Marryat  was  one  of  the  boarding  party. 
He  followed  closely  the  first  lieutenant  who  headed  the 
expedition,  and  who  at  length,  after  his  party  had  sustained 
a  severe  loss,  succeeded  in  gaining  the  deck  of  the  enemy. 
He  had  scarcely  done  so  when,  struck  by  thirteen  musket 
balls,  he  fell  back  a  corpse,  knocking  down  his  follower  in 
his  fall,  who  was  trampled  on  and  almost  suffocated  by  his 
shipmates,  who,  burning  to  revenge  their  leader,  rushed  for- 
ward with  impetuous  bravery. 

The  vessel  captured,  an  examination  took  place  of  the 
xii 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N. 

bodies  of  the  killed  and  wounded.  Marryat  was  numbered 
among  the  former,  and  being  in  a  state  of  stupor,  was  unable 
to  deny  the  doom  assigned  to  him.  But  soon  arrived  the 
surgeon  and  his  assistants,  and  with  them  came  a  midshipman 
who  bore  no  £ood  will  to  Marryat.  This  worthy  youth,  seeing 
the  supposed  lifeless  body  of  his  comrade,  gave  it  a  slight 
kick,  saying,  "  Here  is  a  young  cock  that  has  done  crowing  ! 
Well,  for  a  wonder,  this  chap  has  cheated  the  gallows ! " 
This  salutation,  with  its  comment,  revived  the  almost  ex- 
piring energies  of  the  other,  who  faintly  exclaimed,  "You 
are  a  liar ! "  a  retort  which,  notwithstanding  the  melancholy 
scene  around,  produced  a  roar  of  laughter. 

Shortly  after  this  he  was  engaged  in  a  rather  "  untoward  " 
enterprise.  His  ship  fell  in  with  a  vessel  of  suspicious 
appearance.  It  was  under  French  colours,  which  it  soon 
hauled  down,  showing  no  others,  and  threatening  to  fire  into 
the  English  ship  if  it  attempted  to  board  her.  Upon  this 
she  was  boarded  and  taken,  with  a  loss  of  twenty-six  killed 
and  wounded  on  her  side,  and  of  sixteen  on  ours;  and  not 
till  then  was  it  discovered  that  she  was  a  Maltese  privateer, 
and  a  friend,  who  had  made  a  like  mistake  in  supposing  her 
opponent  to  be  French.  After  this  unfortunate  mistake  the 
Imptrieuse  proceeded  to  Malta. 

It  was  while  lying  in  this  harbour  that  one  night  a  mid- 
shipman— a  son  of  the  celebrated  William  Cobbett— fell 
overboard.  Young  Marryat  jumped  in  after  him,  and  held 
him  up  till  a  boat  was  lowered  to  their  assistance.  For  this 
daring  and  humane  act  he  received  a  certificate  from  Lord 
Cochrane. 

The  road  from  Barcelona  to  Gerona,  which  latter  place 
was  besieged  by  the  French,  had  been  completely  com- 
manded by  them,  for  they  had  possession  of  the  castle  of 
Mongat.  On  the  31st  July  1808,  Marryat  had  a  hand  in 
the  reduction  and  levelling  of  that  fortress,  which,  together 
with  the  rock  on  which  it  stood,  was  blown  up,  and  the  road, 
being  thereby  filled  with  fragments,  was  rendered  impassable 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,  R.N. 

to  artillery  without  a  heavy  loss  of  men.  The  garrison  con- 
sisted of  two  officers  and  sixty-nine  men,  of  whom  two  were 
killed,  seven  wounded,  and  the  rest  taken  prisoners.  This 
proceeding  greatly  delayed  the  transmission  of  the  enemy's 
stores  and  provisions  which  were  designed  for  their  opera- 
tions in  Catalonia ;  so  much  so,  indeed,  that  on  one  occasion 
the  French  general  was  under  the  necessity  of  abandoning 
the  whole  of  his  artillery  and  field  ammunition.  During 
these  operations  Marryat  was  twice  wounded,  and  he  a  third 
time  sustained  injury  in  the  defence  of  the  castle  of  Rosas, 
under  Lord  Cochrane.  On  the  arrival  of  the  Impe'rieuse  in 
the  bay,  she  perceived  that  the  castle  of  Trinidad — the  main- 
taining of  which  was  essential  to  the  preservation  of  the  main 
fortress — had  been  so  hotly  bombarded  by  the  enemy,  that 
the  British  portion  of  the  garrison  had  withdrawn  from  it. 
Lord  Cochrane,  therefore,  taking  with  him  a  party  of  officers 
and  seamen,  amongst  whom  was  Mr.  Marryat,  went  on  shore, 
and  defended  the  fortress  for  some  days — indeed,  until  the 
main  fortress  was  taken,  notwithstanding  that  the  castle,  by 
this  time  a  complete  ruin,  was  attacked,  sword  in  hand,  by 
1200  chosen  men  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  3()th  of  December  following,  he  assisted  in  taking, 
in  the  harbour  of  Cadaques,  after  a  short  action  of  the 
enemy's  batteries,  two  national  vessels  and  twelve  merchant- 
men laden  with  wheat  for  the  garrison  of  Barcelona. 

When  Lord  Cochrane  proceeded  against  the  boom  con- 
structed by  the  enemy,  before  he  sent  in  the  fire-ship  to 
attack  the  French  fleet  in  the  Basque  Roads,  Mr.  Marryat 
was  in  one  of  the  explosion  vessels,  commanded  by  Captain 
Ury  Johnson,  which  his  lordship  led  for  that  purpose.  For 
his  gallantry  on  that  occasion  he  received  a  certificate  from 
Captain  Johnson,  who  brought  his  services  under  the  notice 
of  the  Admiralty,  and  for  his  whole  conduct  in  the  Mediter- 
ranean he  was  recommended  in  Lord  Cochrane's  despatches. 

The  log  of  the  Centaur,  74,  flag-ship  of  Sir  Samuel  Hood, 
attests  that  in  September  1810,  while  cruising  off  Toulon,  he 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N.' 

jumped  overboard  and  saved  the  life  of  a  seaman  named  John 
Mowbray,  who  had  fallen  from  the  main-top;  and  in  1811, 
when  on  his  passage  to  join  the  JEolus,  on  the  American 
station,  he  leaped  overboard  and  endeavoured  to  save  a  sea- 
man named  John  Walker,  but  did  not  succeed  in  doing  so. 
But  we  must  give  this  incident  in  his  own  words  : — "  One  of 
the  fore-topmen,  drawing  water  in  the  chains,  fell  overboard ; 
the  alarm  was  instantly  given,  and  the  ship  hove  to.  I  ran 
upon  the  poop,  and,  seeing  that  the  man  could  not  swim, 
jumped  overboard  to  save  him.  The  height  from  which  I 
descended  made  me  go  very  deep  in  the  water,  and  when  I 
arose  I  could  perceive  one  of  the  man's  hands.  I  swam 
towards  him:  but,  O  God!  what  was  my  horror,  when  I  found 
myself  in  the  midst  of  his  blood.  I  comprehended  in  a 
moment  that  a  shark  had  taken  him,  and  expected  that  every 
instant  my  own  fate  would  be  like  his.  I  wonder  I  had  not 
sank  with  fear:  I  was  nearly  paralysed.  The  ship,  which  had 
been  going  six  or  seven  miles  an  hour,  was  at  some  distance, 
and  I  gave  myself  up  for  gone.  I  had  scarcely  the  power 
of  reflection,  and  was  overwhelmed  with  the  sudden,  awful, 
and,  as  I  thought,  certain  approach  of  death,  in  its  most 
horrible  shape.  In  a  moment  I  recollected  myself;  and  I 
believe  the  actions  of  five  years  crowded  into  my  mind  in  as 
many  minutes.  I  prayed  most  fervently,  and  vowed  amend- 
ment, if  it  should  please  God  to  spare  me.  I  was  nearly  a 
mile  from  the  ship  before  I  was  picked  up ;  and  when  the 
boat  came  alongside  with  me,  three  large  sharks  were  under 
the  stern.  These  had  devoured  the  poor  sailor,  and,  for- 
tunately for  me,  had  followed  the  ship  for  more  prey,  and 
thus  left  me  to  myself." 

Whilst  in  the  JEolus,  he  jumped  overboard  and  saved  the 
life  of  a  boy,  for  which  he  received  a  certificate  from  Captain 
Lord  James  Townshend ;  nor  was  this  the  sole  testimonial 
of  approbation  accorded  to  him  by  that  gallant  officer.  He 
had  previously  been  mainly  instrumental  in  saving  the  frigate 
from  shipwreck  during  a  tremendous  hurricane  off  Cape 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN  MARRYAT,  R.N. 

Malabar,  on  the  30th  September  1811.  The  JEolus  was  laid  on 
her  beam-ends,  and  her  top-masts  and  mizen-masts  had  been 
blown  over  the  side,  when  the  question  arose,  who  would  be 
daring  enough  to  venture  aloft,  and  cut  away  the  wreck  of 
the  main-topmast  and  the  main-yard,  "which  was  hanging  up 
and  down,  with  the  weight  of  the  topmast  and  topsail-yard 
resting  upon  it."  We  must  let  the  captain  tell  how  he  con- 
ducted himself  in  this  case  of  awful  suspense  and  dismay  : — 
"  Seizing  a  sharp  tomahawk,  I  made  signs  to  the  captain  that 
I  would  attempt  to  cut  away  the  wreck,  follow  me  who  dared. 
I  mounted  the  weather-rigging :  five  or  six  hardy  seamen 
followed  me :  sailors  will  rarely  refuse  to  follow  when  they 
find  an  officer  to  lead  the  way.  The  jerks  of  the  rigging 
had  nearly  thrown  us  overboard,  or  jammed  us  with  the 
wreck.  We  were  forced  to  embrace  the  shrouds  with  arms 
and  legs ;  and  anxiously,  and  with  breathless  apprehension 
for  our  lives,  did  the  captain,  officers,  and  crew  gaze  on  us 
as  we  mounted,  and  cheered  us  at  every  stroke  of  the  toma- 
hawk. The  danger  seemed  passed  when  we  reached  the 
catharpens,  where  we  had  foot-room.  We  divided  our  work, 
some  took  the  lanyards  of  the  topmast-rigging,  I,  the  slings 
of  the  mainyard.  The  lusty  blows  we  dealt  were  answered 
by  corresponding  crashes,  and  at  length,  down  fell  the 
tremendous  wreck  over  the  larboard  gunwale.  The  ship 
felt  instant  relief;  she  righted,  and  we  descended  amidst  the 
cheers  and  congratulations  of  most  of  our  shipmates."  For 
this  heroic  deed,  Lord  James  Townshend,  one  of  whose  ship's 
company  he  had  previously  saved,  gave  him  a  certificate, 
and  reported  him  to  have  "  conducted  himself  with  so  much 
courage,  intrepidity,  and  firmness,  as  to  merit  his  warmest 
approbation." 

When  he  belonged  to  the  Spartan,  he  was  put  in  com- 
mand of  a  boat,  and  cut  out  the  Morning  Star  and  Polly, 
privateers,  from  Haycock's  Harbour,  and  likewise  a  revenue 
cutter  and  two  privateers  in  Little  River. 

Mr.  Marryat  obtained  his  promotion  as  lieutenant  io  1812, 
xvi 


MEMOIR  OF   CAPTAIN   MARUYAT,   R.N. 

and  in  the  following  year  was  appointed  to  I'Espiegle,  Captain 
J.  Taylor,  in  the  West  Indies.  Whilst  on  service  in  this 
vessel,  he  once  more  risked  his  life  to  save  a  sailor  named 
Jacob  Small,  who  had  fallen  overboard  in  a  heavy  sea,  but 
was  unsuccessful  on  account  of  the  time  it  required  to  bring 
the  vessel  to  and  lower  a  boat  to  assist  him.  Lieutenant 
Marryat  was  picked  up,  utterly  exhausted,  more  than  a  mile  ' 
and  a  half  from  I'Espiegle.  Having  burst  a  blood-vessel,  he 
was  left  behind  in  the  West  Indies,  in  sick  quarters,  and  after 
a  time  was  sent  home  invalided. 

In  January  1814,  he  joined  the  Newcastle,  58,  Captain  Lord 
George  Stuart,  and  led  an  expedition  which  was  despatched 
to  cut  out  four  vessels  off  New  Orleans.  This  he  did  with 
the  loss  of  one  officer  and  twelve  men.  He  acquired  his 
commander's  rank  in  1815,  and  in  1818  invented  a  life- 
boat, which  was  highly  approved  by  the  Royal  Humane 
Society,  and  obtained  their  gold  medal,  with  their  warmest 
thanks  for  his  services  in  saving  human  life.  In  the  year 
1822,  Captain  Marryat  published  "Suggestions  for  the  Abo- 
lition of  the  Present  System  of  Impressment  in  the  Naval 
Service,"  in  which  pamphlet  he  pointed  out  the  propriety 
of  all  merchant  vessels  carrying  apprentices  proportioned  to 
their  tonnage,  instead  of  West  Indiamen  only,  as  was  then 
the  case.  A  few  months  after  its  appearance  his  Majesty's 
Ministers  put  his  suggestion  in  force,  taking  the  scale  pro- 
posed by  Captain  Marryat  with  but  little,  if  any,  alteration. 

In  1820,  he  commanded  the  Beacon  sloop,  at  St.  Helena, 
from  which  he  exchanged  into  the  Roserio,  1 8  guns ;  and  in 
this  vessel  he  brought  home  duplicate  despatches,  announcing 
the  death  of  Napoleon.  He  was  now  actively  engaged  in 
the  Preventive  Service,  in  which  he  effected  thirteen  seizures. 
Captain  Marryat's  next  appointment  was  in  March  1823,  to 
the  Lame,  20  guns,  in  which  he  sailed  to  the  East  Indies, 
and  remained  there  until  the  Burmese  war  in  1825.  He  was 
fully  employed  as  senior  officer  of  the  naval  forces,  the  order 
of  Commodore  Grant  being  that  none  should  interfere  wfth 
xvii  b 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N. 

or  supersede  him.  Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  the  commander- 
in-chief,  was  received  on  board  the  Larne  at  Calcutta,  and 
Commander  Marryat  led  the  attack  at  Rangoon.  His  able, 
gallant,  and  zealous  co-operation  in  this  affair, — where  he  was 
the  senior  naval  officer  from  May  until  the  middle  of 
September  1824,  during  which  period  he  had  to  perform 
duties  of  no  common  character,  —  and  the  very  important 
services  he  rendered  to  the  East  India  Company  as  com- 
mander of  an  armament  sent  against  Bassein,  are  detailed  in 
an  official  narrative  of  the  naval  operations  in  Ava.  Captain 
Marryat  was  often  thanked  for  his  services  by  the  Supreme 
Government  and  other  high  authorities  in  India,  every  opera- 
tion which  he  arranged  or  conducted  having  been  attended 
with  complete  success ;  he  likewise  received  the  thanks 
of  both  Houses  of  Parliament  in  common  with  his  brother 
officers,  his  rank  alone  precluding  him  from  being  individually 
named  on  that  occasion.  He  now  proceeded  to  Penang  and 
Calcutta,  returning  to  Rangoon  in  December  1824,  and  in 
the  following  February  sailed  with  the  late  Sir  Robert  Sale, 
of  glorious  memory,  on  an  expedition  to  reduce  the  territory 
of  Bassein.  On  his  return  in  April,  having  successfully  per- 
formed his  perilous  duty,  he  was  promoted  to  a  death  vacancy, 
and  commanded  the  Tees,  which,  on  her  arrival  in  England, 
he  paid  off. 

Captain  Marryat  commanded  the  Ariadne  in  the  Channel 
and  Western  Islands,  from  November  1828  to  November 
1830.  He  was  twice  thanked  for  his  services  in  the  Burmese 
war  by  the  Governor-General  of  India,  received  three  letters 
of  thanks  from  Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  commander-in-chief 
of  the  forces,  and  was  five  times  recommended  by  him.  He 
was  likewise  thanked  for  his  expedition  with  Sir  Robert  Sale, 
and  was  three  times  recommended  and  thanked  by  Commodore 
Coe.  In  June  1825,  he  received  the  decoration  of  C.B.,  and 
— an  honour,  a  record  of  which  must  not  be  omitted — he  was 
presented  with  a  medal  by  that  admirable  institution,  the 
Humane  Society,  for  his  daring  and  humane  exertions  to  save 
xviii 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N. 

the  lives  of  so  many  men.  That  Society  has  not  on  its  list  a 
name  so  worthy  of  honour  as  that  of  Marryat. 

In  1837,  the  captain  published  "A  Code  of  Signals  for 
the  Use  of  Vessels  employed  in  the  Merchant  Service." 
That  admirable  invention  is  now  in  use  in  the  royal  and 
mercantile  service,  not  only  of  this  country  but  of  foreign 
nations.  He  twice  received  the  thanks  of  the  Shipowners' 
Society  for  it,  and,  the  publication  having  been  translated 
into  French  in  1840,  was  brought  under  the  notice  of 
Louis  Philippe,  from  whom  he  received  the  gold  cross  of 
the  Legion  of  Honour.  It  was  also  translated  into  Dutch 
and  Italian. 

In  connection  with  this  royal  distinction  we  have  a  story 
to  relate,  which  we  are  sorry  to  feel  ourselves  constrained  to 
tell,  because  it  presents  our  late  king  in  a  light  in  which  it 
is  not  pleasant,  and  has  not  been  customary,  to  regard  him. 
William  IV.  had  read  and  had  been  delighted  with  "  Peter 
Simple."  It  was  likely  that  so  true  and  striking  a  picture 
of  naval  life  and  manners  would  have  captivated  a  sailor. 
He  expressed  a  wish  to  see  the  author,  who  was  standing  in 
an  ante-room.  The  king  came  forth,  and  observing  him, 
asked  a  gentleman  in  waiting  who  he  was.  The  captain 
overheard  the  question,  and  said,  addressing  the  gentleman, 
"  Tell  his  Majesty  I  am  Peter  Simple."  Upon  this  the  king 
came  forward  and  received  him  graciously.  Some  time  after 
this  his  Majesty  was  waited  upon  by  a  distinguished  member 
of  the  Government,  to  request  permission  for  the  captain  to 
wear  the  order  conferred  upon  him  by  the  King  of  the 
French,  and  to  obtain,  if  not  further  promotion,  some  higher 
distinction  for  one  who  had  so  long  and  ably  served  his 
country.  The  former  request  was  granted  as  a  matter  of 
course ;  and  as  to  the  latter,  the  king  said,  "  You  best  know 
his  services ;  give  him  what  you  please."  The  Minister  was 
about  to  retire,  when  his  Majesty  called  him  back.  "  Marryat ! 
Marryat !  by-the-bye,  is  not  that  the  man  who  wrote  a  book 
against  the  impressment  of  seamen?"  "The  same,  your 
xix 


MEMOIR   OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N. 

Majesty."  "Then  he  shan't  wear  the  order,  and  he  shall 
have  nothing,"  said  his  Majesty. 

Every  reader  will  make  his  own  comment  upon  this.  The 
work  in  question  had  been  written  by  a  man  who  had  the 
best  interests  and  the  honour  of  his  profession  at  heart,  who 
had  done  much  to  maintain  them,  and  whom  the  late  Earl 
of  Dundonald — best  known  as  Lord  Cochrane,  the  hero 
of  Basque  Roads — in  a  letter  recently  written,  has  thus 
characterised : — "  He  was  brave,  zealous,  intelligent,  and 
even  thoughtful,  yet  active  in  the  performance  of  his 
duties."  It  is  painful  to  expose  one  act  of  injustice  on  the 
part  of  a  sovereign  whose  nature,  in  the  main,  was  manly., 
upright,  and  generous. 

In  1829  Captain  Marryat  turned  his  attention  to  author- 
ship, and  in  the  following  year  resigned  the  command  of 
the  Ariadne.  Having  published  the  "Naval  Officer,  or  Frank 
Mildmay,"  the  reception  of  which  gave  him  great  encourage- 
ment, he  set  to  work  with  an  earnestness  and  a  zeal  which 
he  brought  to  all  his  undertakings.  "  The  King's  Own," 
"  Peter  Simple,"  and  "Jacob  Faithful,"  followed  each  other  in 
rapid  succession.  To  these  he  added  in  the  course  of  a  few 
years,  "Japhet  in  Search  of  a  Father  ;"  "Newton  Forster;  " 
"  Midshipman  Easy  ;  "  "  The  Pacha  of  many  Tales  ;  "  "Joseph 
Rushbrook,  or  The  Poacher  ;  "  "  The  Phantom  Ship  ;  " 
"  Snarleyyow,  or  The  Dog  Fiend  ;  "  "  Percival  Keene ;  " 
"  The  Pirate  and  Three  Cutters  ;  "  "  Masterman  Ready  ;  " 
"Poor  Jack;"  "The  Privateersman  ; "  "The  Mission,  or 
Scenes  in  Africa  ;  "  "  The  Settlers  in  Canada  ;  "  "  Olla 
Podrida  ;  "  "  Diary  in  America  "  (in  two  parts)  ;  "  Monsieur 
Violet's  Adventures."  All  these  works  obtained  a  con- 
siderable popularity,  and  even  gained  the  author  a  reputation 
which  very  few  modern  writers  of  fiction  have  succeeded  in 
acquiring.  From  1832  to  1836  he  was  likewise  editor  of  the 
Metropolitan  Magazine,  in  which  some  of  his  works  of  fiction 
were  first  produced. 

It  would  be  unprofitable   to   dwell    upon   the   genius   of 

XX 


MEMOIR  OF   CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N. 

Marryat  as  a  novelist.  His  merits  lie  upon  the  surface,  and 
are  obvious  to  every  man,  woman,  and  child,  who  take  up 
one  of  his  works  and  find  themselves  unable  to  lay  it  down 
again.  He  tells  plainly  and  straightforwardly  a  story, 
tolerably  well  constructed,  of  diversified  incidents,  alive  with 
uncommon  characters,  and,  as  his  experience  was  large  and 
had  been  acquired  over  a  wide  expanse,  he  had  always  some- 
thing to  tell  which  would  excite  curiosity  or  rivet  attention. 
He  had  one  quality  in  common  with  great  men,  and  in  which 
men  of  finer  genius  than  himself  have  been  deficient,  —  a 
thorough  manliness  of  heart  and  soul,  which,  by  clearly  showing 
him  what  he  was  able  to  accomplish,  preserved  him  against 
the  perpetration  of  that  sublime  nonsense  and  drivelling  cant 
which  now-a-days  often  pass  for  fine  writing  and  fine  senti- 
ment. "  Peter  Simple  "  has  been  pronounced  his  best  novel ; 
but  we  confess  we  like  "  Jacob  Faithful "  at  least  as  well  ; 
although  we  think  it  would  have  been  better  if  the  Dominie 
had  been  mitigated,  who  is  rather  an  extravagance  than  an 
original,  and  if  that  passage  had  been  discarded  in  which  the 
parish-boy  tells  us  he  reads  Tacitus  and  Horace  at  a  charity- 
school. 

His  "  Diary  in  America  "  gave  great  offence  on  the  other 
side  of  the  Atlantic.  We  do  not  know  whether  the  captain 
ever  regretted  it,  but  it  was  an  ill-advised  publication,  and 
was  certain,  from  its  tone  as  well  as  its  matter,  to  wound 
deeply  a  gallant  and  sensitive  people,  who,  say  what  some 
few  may  to  the  contrary,  are  anxious  to  stand  well  in  the 
estimation  of  the  mother-country.  But  that  this  work  was 
written  with  malice  prepense  against  the  Americans  we  can- 
not believe,  for  the  author's  venerable  mother  is  a  native  of 
the  United  States;  and  it  may  be  pleasing  to  our  brother 
Jonathan  to  know,  what  we  are  pretty  certain  is  the  fact, 
that  from  that  lady  he  inherited  the  energy  of  will  and  the 
vigour  of  mind  which  he  displayed  in  all  the  actions  of  his 
life. 

Captain  Marryat  had  been  seriously  ill  for  more  than  a 
xxi 


MEMOIR  OF  CAPTAIN   MARRYAT,   R.N. 

year,  from  the  bursting  of  a  succession  of  blood-vessels,  which 
forbade  all  hope  of  his  recovery,  and  on  the  9th  of  August 
1848  his  sufferings  were  brought  to  a  termination. 

He  married  Catharine,  daughter  of  Sir  Stephen  Shairp, 
formerly  Charge  d' Affaires  at  the  court  of  Russia,  by  whom 
he  left  six  children.  Two  of  his  sons  were  in  the  navy.  The 
elder,  a  lieutenant,  bade  fair  to  prove  himself  a  worthy  son 
of  his  father  :  he  jumped  overboard  and  saved  the  life  of  a 
seaman  in  the  Tagus,  and  his  exertions  at  the  wreck  of  the 
Syphax  were  of  the  most  heroic  kind ;  but  he  perished  with 
nearly  the  whole  of  his  crew  in  the  wreck  of  the  Avenger, 
on  the  coast  of  Africa,  in  1 847.  The  younger  son,  Frank  S. 
Marryat,  displayed  great  talents  as  a  hydrographer,  and  be- 
came midshipman  on  board  her  Majesty's  ship  Samarang, 
surveying  vessel.  He  published  in  1848  a  splendid  volume, 
entitled  "  Borneo  and  the  Indian  Archipelago,  with  drawings 
of  costumes  and  scenery,  being  a  narrative  of  his  surveying 
cruise,"  which  was  too  expensive  to  be  successful,  and,  as  a 
commercial  speculation,  failed.  He  died  at  Kensington  Gore, 
September  1855,  at  the  age  of  29-  One  of  Captain  Marryat's 
daughters,  Emilia  Marryat,  has  lately  commenced  authorship, 
as  a  writer  of  Novels  and  Juvenile  Stories. 

May  1869. 


THE    PIRATE 


THE    PIRATE 


CHAPTER  I 

THE    BAY    OF    BISCAY 

IT  was  in  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  June,  of  the  year 
179 — ,  that  the  angry  waves  of  the  Bay  of  Biscay  were 
gradually  subsiding,  after  a  gale  of  wind  as  violent  as  it  was 
unusual  during  that  period  of  the  year.  Still  they  rolled 
heavily ;  and,  at  times,  the  wind  blew  up  in  fitful,  angry 
gusts,  as  if  it  would  fain  renew  the  elemental  combat ;  but 
each  effort  was  more  feeble,  and  the  dark  clouds  which  had 
been  summoned  to  the  storm,  now  fled  in  every  quarter 
before  the  powerful  rays  of  the  sun,  who  burst  their  masses 
asunder  with  a  glorious  flood  of  light  and  heat ;  and,  as  he 
poured  down  his  resplendent  beams,  piercing  deep  into  the 
waters  of  that  portion  of  the  Atlantic  to  which  we  now  refer, 
with  the  exception  of  one  object,  hardly  visible,  as  at  crea- 
tion, there  was  a  vast  circumference  of  water,  bounded  by 
the  fancied  canopy  of  heaven.  We  have  said,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  one  object ;  for  in  the  centre  of  this  picture,  so 
simple,  yet  so  sublime,  composed  of  the  three  great  elements, 
there  was  a  remnant  of  the  fourth.  We  say  a  remnant,  for 
it  was  but  the  hull  of  a  vessel,  dismasted,  water-logged,  its 
upper  works  only  floating  occasionally  above  the  waves,  when 
a  transient  repose  from  their  still  violent  undulation  per- 
mitted it  to  reassume  its  buoyancy.  But  this  was  seldom; 
one  moment  it  was  deluged  by  the  seas,  which  broke  as  they 


THE  PIRATE 

poured  over  its  gunwale ;  and  the  next,  it  rose  from  its 
submersion,  as  the  water  escaped  from  the  portholes  at  its 
sides. 

How  many  thousands  of  vessels — how  many  millions  of 
property — have  been  abandoned,  and  eventually  consigned 
to  the  all-receiving  depths  of  the  ocean,  through  ignorance 
or  through  fear!  What  a  mine  of  wealth  must  lie  buried 
in  its  sands  !  what  riches  lie  entangled  amongst  its  rocks,  or 
remain  suspended  in  its  unfathomable  gulf,  where  the  com- 
pressed fluid  is  equal  in  gravity  to  that  which  it  encircles, 
there  to  remain  secured  in  its  embedment  from  corruption 
and  decay,  until  the  destruction  of  the  universe  and  the 
return  of  chaos !  Yet,  immense  as  the  accumulated  loss 
may  be,  the  major  part  of  it  has  been  occasioned  from  an 
ignorance  of  one  of  the  first  laws  of  nature,  that  of  specific 
gravity.  The  vessel  to  which  we  have  referred  was,  to  all 
appearance,  in  a  situation  of  as  extreme  hazard  as  that  of  a 
drowning  man  clinging  to  a  single  rope-yarn ;  yet,  in  reality, 
she  was  more  secure  from  descending  to  the  abyss  below 
than  many  gallantly  careering  on  the  waters,  their  occupants 
dismissing  all  fear,  and  only  calculating  upon  a  quick  arrival 
into  port. 

The  Circassian  had  sailed  from  New  Orleans,  a  gallant  and 
well-appointed  ship,  with  a  cargo,  the  major  part  of  which 
consisted  of  cotton.  The  captain  was,  in  the  usual  accepta- 
tion of  the  term,  a  good  sailor ;  the  crew  were  hardy  and 
able  seamen.  As  they  crossed  the  Atlantic,  they  had  en- 
countered the  gale  to  which  we  have  referred,  were  driven 
down  into  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  where,  as  we  shall  hereafter 
explain,  the  vessel  was  dismasted,  and  sprang  a  leak,  which 
baffled  all  their  exertions  £o  keep  under.  It  was  now  five 
days  since  the  frightened  crew  had  quitted  the  vessel  in  two 
of  her  boats,  one  of  which  had  swamped,  and  every  soul 
that  occupied  it  had  perished ;  the  fate  of  the  other  was 
uncertain. 

We  said  that  the  crew  had  deserted  the  vessel,  but  we 
2 


THE   BAY  OF  BISCAY 

did  not  assert  that  every  existing  being  had  been  removed  out 
of  her.  Had  such  been  the  case,,  we  should  not  have  taken  up 
the  reader's  time  in  describing  inanimate  matter.  It  is  life 
that  we  portray,,  and  life  there  still  was  in  the  shattered  hull 
thus  abandoned  to  the  mockery  of  the  ocean.  In  the  caboo.se 
of  the  Circassian,  that  is,  in  the  cooking-house  secured  on  deck, 
and  which  fortunately  had  been  so  well  fixed  as  to  resist  the 
force  of  the  breaking  waves,  remained  three  beings — a  man, 
a  woman,  and  a  child.  The  two  first-mentioned  were  of  that 
inferior  race  which  have,  for  so  long  a  period,  been  procured 
from  the  sultry  Afric  coast,  to  toil,  but  reap  not  for  them- 
selves ;  the  child  which  lay  at  the  breast  of  the  female  was 
of  European  blood,  now,  indeed,  deadly  pale,  as  it  attempted 
in  vain  to  draw  sustenance  from  its  exhausted  nurse,  down 
whose  sable  cheeks  the  tears  coursed,  as  she  occasionally 
pressed  the  infant  to  her  breast,  and  turned  it  round  to  lee- 
ward to  screen  it  from  the  spray  which  dashed  over  them 
at  each  returning  swell.  Indifferent  to  all  else,  save  her 
little  charge,  she  spoke  not,  although  she  shuddered  with 
the  cold  as  the  water  washed  her  knees  each  time  that  the 
hull  was  careened  into  the  wave.  Cold  and  terror  had  pro- 
duced a  change  in  her  complexion,  which  now  wore  a  yellow, 
or  sort  of  copper  hue. 

The  male,  who  was  her  companion,  sat  opposite  to  her 
upon  the  iron  range  which  once  had  been  the  receptacle 
of  light  and  heat,  but  was  now  but  a  weaiy  seat  to  a  drenched 
and  worn-out  wretch.  He,  too,  had  not  spoken  for  many 
hours ;  with  the  muscles  of  his  face  relaxed,  his  thick  lips 
pouting  far  in  advance  of  his  collapsed  cheeks,  his  high  cheek- 
bones prominent  as  budding  horns,  his  eyes  displaying  little 
but  their  whites,  he  appeared  to  be  an  object  of  greater 
misery  than  the  female,  whose  thoughts  were  directed  to 
the  infant  and  not  unto  herself.  Yet  his  feelings  were  still 
acute,  although  his  faculties  appeared  to  be  deadened  by 
excess  of  suffering. 

"  Eh,  me ! "  cried  the  negro  woman  faintly,  after  a  long 


THE  PIRATE 

silence,  her  head  falling  back  with  extreme  exhaustion.  Her 
companion  made  no  reply,  but,  roused  at  the  sound  of  her 
voice,  bent  forward,  slid  open  the  door  a  little,  and  looked 
out  to  windward.  The  heavy  spray  dashed  into  his  glassy 
eyes,  and  obscured  his  vision  ;  he  groaned,  and  fell  back  into 
his  former  position.  "  What  you  tink,  Coco  ?  "  inquired  the 
negress,  covering  up  more  carefully  the  child,  as  she  bent 
her  head  down  upon  it.  A  look  of  despair,  and  a  shudder 
from  cold  and  hunger,  were  the  only  reply. 

It  was  then  about  eight  o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  the 
swell  of  the  ocean  was  fast  subsiding.  At  noon  the  warmth 
of  the  sun  was  communicated  to  them  through  the  planks 
of  the  caboose,  while  its  rays  poured  a  small  stream  of  vivid 
light  through  the  chinks  of  the  closed  panels.  The  negro 
appeared  gradually  to  revive ;  at  last  he  rose,  and  with  some 
difficulty  ^contrived  again  to  slide  open  the  door.  The  sea 
had  gradually  decreased  its  violence,  and  but  occasionally 
broke  over  the  vessel ;  carefully  holding  on  by  the  door- 
jambs,  Coco  gained  the  outside,  that  he  might  survey  the 
horizon. 

"What  you  see,  Coco?"  said  the  female,  observing  from 
the  caboose  that  his  eyes  were  fixed  upon  a  certain  quarter. 

"  So  help  me  God,  me  tink  me  see  something ;  but  ab  so 
much  salt  water  in  um  eye,  me  no  see  clear,"  replied  Coco, 
rubbing  away  the  salt  which  had  crystallised  on  his  face 
during  the  morning. 

"What  you  tink  um  like,  Coco  ?  " 

"Only  one  bit  cloud,"  replied  he,  entering  the  caboose, 
and  resuming  his  seat  upon  the  grate  with  a  heavy  sigh. 

"  Eh,  me  ! "  cried  the  negress,  who  had  uncovered  the 
child  to  look  at  it,  and  whose  powers  were  sinking  fast. 
"  Poor  lilly  Massa  Eddard,  him  look  very  bad  indeed — him 
die  very  soon,  me  fear.  Look,  Coco,  no  ab  breath." 

The  child's  head  fell  back  upon  the  breast  of  its  nurse, 
and  life  appeared  to  be  extinct. 

"  Judy,  you  no  ab  milk  for  piccaninny ;  suppose  um  ab  no 


THE   BAY  OF   BISCAY 

milk,  how  can  live  ?  Eh  !  stop,  Judy,  me  put  lilly  finger  in 
um  mouth ;  suppose  Massa  Eddard  no  dead,  him  pull." 

Coco  inserted  his  finger  into  the  child's  month,  and  felt 
a  slight  drawing  pressure.  "Judy/'  cried  Coco,  "Massa 
Eddard  no  dead  yet.  Try  now,  suppose  you  ab  lilly  drop 
oder  side." 

Poor  Judy  shook  her  head  mournfully,  and  a  tear  rolled 
down  her  cheek ;  she  was  aware  that  nature  was  exhausted. 
"  Coco,"  said  she,  wiping  her  cheek  with  the  back  of  her 
hand,  "  me  give  me  heart  blood  for  Massa  Eddard  ;  but  no 
ab  milk — all  gone." 

This  forcible  expression  of  love  for  the  child,  which  was 
used  by  Judy,  gave  an  idea  to  Coco.  He  drew  his  knife 
out  of  his  pocket,  and  very  coolly  sawed  to  the  bone  of  his 
forefinger.  The  blood  flawed  and  trickled  down  to  the 
extremity,  which  he  applied  to  the  mouth  of  the  infant. 

"See,  Judy,  Massa  Eddard  suck — him  not  dead,"  cried 
Coco,  chuckling  at  the  fortunate  result  of  the  experiment,  and 
forgetting  at  the  moment  their  almost  hopeless  situation. 

The  child,  revived  by  the  strange  sustenance,  gradually 
recovered  its  powers,  and  in  a  few  minutes  it  pulled  at  the 
finger  with  a  certain  degree  of  vigour. 

"  Look,  Judy,  how  Massa  Eddard  take  it,"  continued 
Coco.  "  Pull  away,  Massa  Eddard,  pull  away.  Coco  ab 
ten  finger,  and  take  long  while  suck  em  all  dry."  But  the 
child  was  soon  satisfied,  and  fell  asleep  in  the  arms  of 
Judy. 

"Coco,  suppose  you  go  see  again,"  observed  Judy.  The 
negro  again  crawled  out,  and  again  he  scanned  the  horizon. 

"  So  help  me  God,  dis  time  me  tink,  Judy — yes,  so  help 
me  God,  me  see  a  ship  !"  cried  Coco  joyfully. 

"Eh!"  screamed  Judy  faintly,  with  delight;  "den  Massa 
Eddard  no  die." 

"Yes,  so  help  me  God — he  come  dis  way!"  and  Coco, 
who  appeared  to  have  recovered  a  portion  of  his  former 
strength  and  activity,  clambered  on  the  top  of  the  caboose, 
5 


THE    PIRATE 

where  he  sat,  cross-legged,  waving  his  yellow  handkerchief, 
with  the  hope  of  attracting  the  attention  of  those  on  board; 
for  he  knew  that  it  was  very  possible  that  an  object  floating 
little  more  than  level  with  the  water's  surface  might  escape 
notice. 

As  it  fortunately  happened,  the  frigate,  for  such  she  was, 
continued  her  course  precisely  for  the  wreck,  although  it  had 
not  been  perceived  by  the  look-out  men  at  the  mast-heads, 
whose  eyes  had  been  directed  to  the  line  of  the  horizon.  In 
less  than  an  hour  our  little  party  were  threatened  with  a  new 
danger,  that  of  being  run  over  by  the  frigate,  which  was  now 
within  a  cable's  length  of  them,  driving  the  seas  before  her 
in  one  widely  extended  foam,  as  she  pursued  her  rapid  and 
impetuous  course.  Coco  shouted  to  his  utmost,  and  fortu- 
nately attracted  the  notice  of  the  men  who  were  on  the  bow- 
sprit, stowing  away  the  foretopmast-staysail,  which  had  been 
hoisted  up  to  dry  after  the  gale. 

"  Starboard,  hard!  "  was  roared  out. 

"  Starboard  it  is,"  was  the  reply  from  the  quarter-deck, 
and  the  helm  was  shifted  without  inquiry,  as  it  always  is  on 
board  of  a  man-of-war,  although,  at  the  same  time,  it  behoves 
people  to  be  rather  careful  how  they  pass  such  an  order,  with- 
out being  prepared  with  a  subsequent  and  most  satisfactory 
explanation. 

The  topmast  studding-sail  flapped  and  fluttered,  the  fore- 
sail shivered,  and  the  jib  filled  as  the  frigate  rounded  to,  nar- 
rowly missing  the  wreck,  which  was  now  under  the  bows, 
rocking  so  violently  in  the  white  foam  of  the  agitated  waters, 
that  it  was  with  difficulty  that  Coco  could,  by  clinging  to  the 
stump  of  the  mainmast,  retain  his  elevated  position.  The 
frigate  shortened  sail,  hove-to,  and  lowered  down  a  quarter- 
boat,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  Coco,  Judy,  and  the  in- 
fant, were  rescued  from  their  awful  situation.  Poor  Judy, 
who  had  borne  up  against  all  for  the  sake  of  the  child, 
placed  it  in  the  arms  of  the  officer  who  relieved  them,  and 
then  fell  back  in  a  state  of  insensibility,  in  which  condition 
6 


THE  BACHELOR 

she  was  carried  on  board.  Coco,  as  he  took  his  place  in  the 
stern-sheets  of  the  boat,  gazed  wildly  round  him,  and  then 
broke  out  into  peals  of  extravagant  laughter,  which  con- 
tinued without  intermission,  and  were  the  only  replies  which 
he  could  give  to  the  interrogatories  of  the  quarter-deck, 
until  he  fell  down  in  a  swoon,  and  was  entrusted  to  the 
care  of  the  surgeon. 


CHAPTER  II 

THE    BACHELOR 

the  evening  of  the  same  day  on  which  the  child  and 
the  two  negroes  had  been  saved  from  the  wreck  by  the 
fortunate  appearance  of  the  frigate,  Mr.  Witherington,  of 
Finsbury  Square,  was  sitting  alone  in  his  dining-room, 
wondering  what  could  have  become  of  the  Circassian,  and 
why  he  had  not  received  intelligence  of  her  arrival.  Mr. 
Witherington,  as  we  said  before,  was  alone ;  he  had  his  port 
and  his  sherry  before  him ;  and  although  the  weather  was 
rather  warm,  there  was  a  small  fire  in  the  grate,  because, 
as  Mr.  Witherington  asserted,  it  looked  comfortable.  Mr. 
Witherington  having  watched  the  ceiling  of  the  room  for 
some  time,  although  there  was  certainly  nothing  new  to  be 
discovered,  filled  another  glass  of  wine,  and  then  proceeded 
to  make  himself  more  comfortable  by  unbuttoning  three  more 
buttons  of  his  waistcoat,  pushing  his  wig  further  off  his  head, 
and  casting  loose  all  the  buttons  at  the  knees  of  his  breeches  ; 
he  completed  his  arrangements  by  dragging  towards  him 
two  chairs  within  his  reach,  putting  his  legs  upon  one  while 
he  rested  his  arm  upon  the  other.  And  why  was  not  Mr. 
Witherington  to  make  himself  comfortable  ?  He  had  good 
health,  a  good  conscience,  and  eight  thousand  a  year. 

Satisfied  with  all  his  little  arrangements,  Mr.  Witherington 
sipped  his  port  wine,  and  putting  down  his  glass  again,  fell 


THE  PIRATE 

back  in  his  chair,  placed  his  hands  on  his  breast,  interwove  his 
fingers ;  and  in  this  most  comfortable  position  recommenced 
his  speculations  as  to  the  non-arrival  of  the  Circassian. 

We  will  leave  him  to  his  cogitations  while  we  introduce 
him  more  particularly  to  our  readers. 

The  father  of  Mr.  Witherington  was  a  younger  son  of  one 
of  the  oldest  and  proudest  families  in  the  West  Riding  of 
Yorkshire  :  he  had  his  choice  of  the  four  professions  allotted 
to  younger  sons  whose  veins  are  filled  with  patrician  blood — 
the  army,  the  navy,  the  law,  and  the  Church.  The  army  did 
not  suit  him,  he  said,  as  marching  and  counter-marching 
were  not  comfortable ;  the  navy  did  not  suit  him,  as  there 
was  little  comfort  in  gales  of  wind  and  mouldy  biscuit ; 
the  law  did  not  suit  him,  as  he  was  not  sure  that  he  would 
be  at  ease  with  his  conscience,  which  would  not  be  comfort- 
able ;  the  Church  was  also  rejected,  as  it  was,  with  him, 
connected  with  the  idea  of  a  small  stipend,  hard  duty,  a 
wife  and  eleven  children,  which  were  anything  but  comfort- 
able. Much  to  the  horror  of  his  family  he  eschewed  all  the 
liberal  professions,  and  embraced  the  offer  of  an  old  back- 
slider of  an  uncle,  who  proposed  to  him  a  situation  in  his 
banking-house,  and  a  partnership  as  soon  as  he  deserved  it ; 
the  consequence  was,  that  his  relations  bade  him  an  indignant 
farewell,  and  then  made  no  further  inquiries  about  him  :  he 
was  as  decidedly  cut  as  one  of  the  female  branches  of  the 
family  would  have  been  had  she  committed  a.  faux  pas. 

Nevertheless,  Mr.  Witherington  senior  stuck  diligently  to 
his  business,  in  a  few  years  was  partner,  and,  at  the  death 
of  the  old  gentleman,  his  uncle,  found  himself  in  possession 
of  a  good  property,  and  every  year  coining  money  at  his 
bank. 

Mr.  Witherington  senior  then  purchased  a  house  in  Fins- 
bury  Square,  and  thought  it  advisable  to  look  out  for  a  wife. 

Having  still  much  of  the  family  pride  in  his  composition, 
he  resolved  not  to  muddle  the  blood  of  the  Witheringtons 
by  any  cross  from  Cateaton  Street  or  Mincing  Lane ;  and 
8 


THE   BACHELOR 

after  a  proper  degree  of  research,  he  selected  the  daughter 
of  a  Scotch  earl,  who  went  to  London  with  a  bevy  of  nine 
in  a  Leith  smack  to  barter  blood  for  wealth.  Mr.  Withering- 
ton  being  so  unfortunate  as  to  be  the  first  comer,  had  the 
pick  of  the  nine  ladies  by  courtesy ;  his  choice  was  light- 
haired,  blue-eyed,  a  little  freckled,  and  very  tall,  by  no 
means  bad-looking,  and  standing  on  the  list  in  the  family 
Bible  No.  IV.  From  this  union  Mr.  Witherington  had  issue  ; 
first,  a  daughter,  christened  Moggy,  whom  we  shall'  soon  have 
to  introduce  to  our  readers  as  a  spinster  of  forty-seven ;  and 
second,  Antony  Alexander  Witherington,  Esquire,  whom  we 
just  now  have  left  in  a  very  comfortable  position,  and  in  a 
very  brown  study. 

Mr.  Witherington  senior  persuaded  his  son  to  enter  the 
banking-house,  and,  as  a  dutiful  son,  he  entered  it  every 
day  :  but  he  did  nothing  more,  having  made  the  fortunate 
discovery  that  "  his  father  was  born  before  him ; "  or,  in 
other  words,  that  his  father  had  plenty  of  money,  and  would 
be  necessitated  to  leave  it  behind  him. 

As  Mr.  Witherington  senior  had  always  studied  comfort, 
his  son  had  early  imbibed  the  same  idea,  and  carried  his 
feelings,  in  that  respect,  to  a  much  greater  excess :  he 
divided  things  into  comfortable  and  uncomfortable.  One 
fine  day,  Lady  Mary  Witherington,  after  paying  all  the  house- 
hold bills,  paid  the  debt  of  Nature ;  that  is,  she  died :  her 
husband  paid  the  undertaker's  bill,  so  it  is  to  be  presumed 
that  she  was  buried. 

Mr.  Witherington  senior  shortly  afterwards  had  a  stroke 
of  apoplexy,  which  knocked  him  down.  Death,  who  has  no 
feelings  of  honour,  struck  him  when  down.  And  Mr.  Wither- 
ington, after  having  laid  a  few  days  in  bed,  was  by  a  second 
stroke  laid  in  the  same  vault  as  Lady  Mary  Witherington  ; 
and  Mr.  Witherington  junior  (our  Mr.  Witherington)  after 
deducting  £40,000  for  his  sister's  fortune,  found  himself  in 
possession  of  a  clear  £8000  per  annum,  and  an  excellent 
house  in  Finsbury  Square.  Mr.  Witherington  considered  this 
9 


THE   PIRATE 

a  comfortable  income,  and  he  therefore  retired  altogether 
from  business. 

During  the  lifetime  of  his  parents  he  had  been  witness  to 
one  or  two  matrimonial  scenes,  which  had  induced  him  to  put 
down  matrimony  as  one  of  the  things  not  comfortable  ;  there- 
fore he  remained  a  bachelor. 

His  sister  Moggy  also  remained  unmarried  ;  but  whether 
it  was  from  a  very  unprepossessing  squint  which  deterred 
suitors,  or  from  the  same  dislike  to  matrimony  as  her  brother 
had  imbibed,  it  is  not  in  our  power  to  say.  Mr.  Witherington 
was  three  years  younger  than  his  sister;  and  although  he 
had  for  some  time  worn  a  wig,  it  was  only  because  he  con- 
sidered it  more  comfortable.  Mr.  Witherington's  whole  char- 
acter might  be  summed  up  in  two  words — eccentricity  and 
benevolence ;  eccentric  he  certainly  was,  as  most  bachelors 
usually  are.  Man  is  but  a  rough  pebble  without  the  attrition 
received  from  contact  with  the  gentler  sex  ;  it  is  wonderful 
how  the  ladies  pumice  a  man  down  to  a  smoothness  which 
occasions  him  to  roll  over  and  over  with  the  rest  of  his 
species,  jostling  but  not  wounding  his  neighbours,  as  the 
waves  of  circumstances  bring  him  into  collision  with  them. 

Mr.  Witherington  roused  himself  from  his  deep  reverie, 
and  felt  for  the  string  connected  with  the  bell-pull,  which  it 
was  the  butler's  duty  invariably  to  attach  to  the  arm  of  his 
master's  chair  previous  to  his  last  exit  from  the  dining-room  ; 
for,  as  Mr.  Witherington  very  truly  observed,  it  was  very 
uncomfortable  to  be  obliged  to  get  up  and  ring  the  bell  ; 
indeed,  more  than  once  Mr.  Witherington  had  calculated  the 
advantages  and  disadvantages  of  having  a  daughter  about 
eight  years  old  who  could  ring  the  bell,  air  the  newspapers, 
and  cut  the  leaves  of  a  new  novel. 

When,  however,  he  called  to  mind  that  she  could  not 
always  remain  at  that  precise  age,  he  decided  that  the 
balance  of  comfort  was  against  it. 

Mr.  Witherington  having  pulled  the  bell  again,  fell  into 
a  brown  study. 

10 


THE    BACHELOR 

Mr.  Jonathan,  the  butler,  made  his  appearance;  but  ob- 
serving that  his  master  was  occupied,  he  immediately  stopped 
at  the  door,  erect,  motionless,  and  with  a  face  as  melancholy 
as  if  he  was  performing  mute  at  the  porch  of  some  departed 
peer  of  the  realm;  for  it  is  an  understood  thing,  that  the  greater 
the  rank  of  the  defunct  the  longer  must  be  the  face,  and,  of 
course,  the  better  must  be  the  pay. 

Now,  as  Mr.  Witherington  is  still  in  profound  thought,  and 
Mr.  Jonathan  will  stand  as  long  as  a  hackney-coach  horse, 
we  will  just  leave  them  as  they  are,  while  we  introduce  the 
brief  history  of  the  latter  to  our  readers.  Jonathan  Trapp 
has  served  as  fooi-boy,  which  term,  we  believe,  is  derived 
from  those  who  are  in  that  humble  capacity  receiving  a 
quantum  suff.  of  the  application  of  the  feet  of  those  above 
them  to  increase  the  energy  of  their  service;  then  as  foot- 
maw,  which  implies  that  they  have  been  promoted  to  the 
more  agreeable  right  of  administering  instead  of  receiving 
the  above  dishonourable  applications;  and  lastly,  for  pro- 
motion could  go  no  higher  in  the  family,  he  had  been  raised 
to  the  dignity  of  butler  in  the  service  of  Mr.  Witherington 
senior.  Jonathan  then  fell  in  love,  for  butlers  are  guilty  of 
indiscretions  as  well  as  their  masters:  neither  he  nor  his  fair 
flame,  who  was  a  lady's-maid  in  another  family,  notwith- 
standing that  they  had  witnessed  the  consequences  of  this 
error  in  others,  would  take  warning;  they  gave  warning,  and 
they  married. 

Like  most  butlers  and  ladies'-maids  who  pair  off,  they  set 
up  a  public-house;  and  it  is  but  justice  to  the  lady's-maid  to 
say,  that  she  would  have  preferred  an  eating-house,  but  was 
overruled  by  Jonathan,  who  argued,  that  although  people 
would  drink  when  they  were  not  dry,  they  never  would  eat 
unless  they  were  hungry. 

_Now,  although  there  was  truth  in  the  observation,  this  is 

certain,  that  business  did  not  prosper:    it  has  been  surmised 

that  Jonathan's  tall,  lank,  lean  figure  injured  his  custom,  as 

people  .are  but  too  much  inclined  to  judge  of  the  goodness  of 

11 


THE   PIRATE 

the  ale  by  the  rubicund  face  and  rotundity  of  the  landlord ; 
and  therefore  inferred  that  there  could  be  no  good  beer 
where  mine  host  was  the  picture  of  famine.  There  certainly 
is  much  in  appearances  in  this  world  ;  and  it  appears,  that  in 
consequence  of  Jonathan's  cadaverous  appearance,  he  very 
soon  appeared  in  the  Gazette;  but  what  ruined  Jonathan 
in  one  profession  procured  him  immediate  employment  in 
another.  An  appraiser,  upholsterer,  and  undertaker,  who 
was  called  in  to  value  the  fixtures,  fixed  his  eye  upon 
Jonathan,  and  knowing  the  value  of  his  peculiarly  lugubrious 
appearance,  and  having  a  half-brother  of  equal  height,  offered 
him  immediate  employment  as  a  mute.  Jonathan  soon  forgot 
to  mourn  his  own  loss  of  a  few  hundreds  in  his  new  occupa- 
tion of  mourning  the  loss  of  thousands ;  and  his  erect,  stiff, 
statue-like  carriage,  and  long  melancholy  face,  as  he  stood  at 
the  portals  of  those  who  had  entered  the  portals  of  the  next 
world,  were  but  too  often  a  sarcasm  upon  the  grief  of  the 
inheritors.  Even  grief  is  worth  nothing  in  this  trafficking 
world  unless  it  is  paid  for.  Jonathan  buried  many,  and  at 
last  buried  his  wife.  So  far  all  was  well ;  but  at  last  he 
buried  his  master,  the  undertaker,  which  was  not  quite  so 
desirable.  Although  Jonathan  wept  not,  yet  did  he  express 
mute  sorrow  as  he  marshalled  him  to  his  long  home,  and 
drank  to  his  memory  in  a  pot  of  porter  as  he  returned  from 
the  funeral,  perched,  with  many  others,  like  carrion  crows  on 
the  top  of  the  hearse. 

And  now  Jonathan  was  thrown  out  of  employment  from 
a  reason  which  most  people  would  have  thought  the  highest 
recommendation.  Every  undertaker  refused  to  take  him, 
because  they  could  not  match  him.  In  this  unfortunate 
dilemma,  Jonathan  thought  of  Mr.  Witherington  junior;  he 
had  served  and  he  had  buried  Mr.  Witherington  his  father, 
and  Lady  Mary  his  mother ;  he  felt  that  he  had  strong 
claims  for  such  variety  of  services,  and  he  applied  to 
the  bachelor.  Fortunately  for  Jonathan,  Mr.  Witherington's 
butler-incumbent  was  just  about  to  commit  the  same  folly  as 
12 


THE  BACHELOR 

Jonathan  had  done  before,  and  Jonathan  was  again  installed, 
resolving  in  his  own  mind  to  lead  his  former  life,  and  have 
nothing  more  to  do  with  ladies'-maids.  But  from  habit 
Jonathan  still  carried  himself  as  a  mute  on  all  ordinary 
occasions — never  indulging  in  an  approximation  to  mirth, 
except  when  he  perceived  that  his  master  was  in  high  spirits, 
and  then  rather  from  a  sense  of  duty  than  from  any  real 
hilarity  of  heart. 

Jonathan  was  no  mean  scholar  for  his  station  in  life,  and, 
during  his  service  with  the  undertaker,  he  had  acquired  the 
English  of  all  the  Latin  mottoes  which  are  placed  upon  the 
hatchments ;  and  these  mottoes,  when  he  considered  them 
as  apt,  he  was  very  apt  to  quote.  We  left  Jonathan  standing 
at  the  door;  he  had  closed  it,  and  the  handle  still  remained 
in  his  hand.  "  Jonathan,'  said  Mr.  Witherington,  after  a 
long  pause — "  I  wish  to  look  at  the.  last  letter  from  New 
York ;  you  will  find  it  on  my  dressing-table." 

Jonathan  quitted  the  room  without  reply,  and  made  his 
reappearance  with  the  letter. 

"  It  is  a  long  time  that  I  have  been  expecting  this 
vessel,  Jonathan,"  observed  Mr.  Witherington,  unfolding  the 
letter. 

"  Yes,  sir,  a  long  while ;  tempusfugit."  replied  the  butler 
in  a  low  tone,  half  shutting  his  eyes. 

"  I  hope  to  God  no  accident  has  happened,"  continued 
Mr.  Witherington ;  "  my  poor  little  cousin  and  her  twins  ! 
e'en  now  that  I  speak,  they  may  be  all  at  the  bottom  of 
the  sea." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  butler ;  "  the  sea  defrauds  many 
an  honest  undertaker  of  his  profits." 

"  By  the  blood  of  the  Witheringtons !  I  may  be  left 
without  an  heir,  and  shall  be  obliged  to  marry,  which  would 
be  very  uncomfortable." 

"Very  little  comfort,"  echoed  Jonathan — "my  wife  is 
dead.  In  ccelo  quies." 

"  Well,  we  must  hope  for  the  best ;  but  this  suspense  is 
13 


THE   PIRATE 

anything  but  comfortable,"  observed  Mr.  Witherington,  after 
looking  over  the  contents  of  the  letter  for  at  least  the 
twentieth  time. 

"  That  will  do,  Jonathan ;  I'll  ring  for  coffee  presently ; " 
and  Mr.  Witherington  was  again  alone  and  with  his  eyes 
fixed  upon  the  ceiling. 

A  cousin  of  Mr.  Witherington,  and  a  very  great  favourite 
(for  Mr.  Witherington,  having  a  large  fortune,  and  not  having 
anything  to  do  with  business,  was  courted  by  his  relations), 
had,  to  a  certain  degree,  committed  herself;  that  is  to  say, 
that,  notwithstanding  the  injunctions  of  her  parents,  she  had 
fallen  in  love  with  a  young  lieutenant  in  a  marching  regiment, 
whose  pedigree  was  but  respectable,  and  whose  fortune  was 
anything  but  respectable,  consisting  merely  of  a  subaltern's 
pay.  Poor  men,  unfortunately,  always  make  love  better  than 
those  who  are  rich,  because,  having  less  to  care  about,  and 
not  being  puffed  up  with  their  own  consequence,  they  are 
not  so  selfish,  and  think  much  more  of  the  lady  than  of 
themselves.  Young  ladies,  also,  who  fall  in  love,  never 
consider  whether  there  is  sufficient  "  to  make  the  pot  boil " 
— probably  because  young  ladies  in  love  lose  their  appetites, 
and,  not  feeling  inclined  to  eat  at  that  time,  they  imagine 
that  love  will  always  supply  the  want  of  food.  Now,  we 
will  appeal  to  the  married  ladies  whether  we  are  not  right 
in  asserting  that,  although  the  collation  spread  for  them  and 
their  friends  on  the  day  of  the  marriage  is  looked  upon  with 
almost  loathing,  they  do  not  find  their  appetites  return  with 
interest  soon  afterwards.  This  was  precisely  the  case  with 
Cecilia  Witherington,  or  rather  Cecilia  Templemore,  for  she 
had  changed  her  name  the  day  before.  It  was  also  the  case 
with  her  husband,  who  always  had  a  good  appetite,  even 
during  his  days  of  courtship ;  and  the  consequence  was,  that 
the  messman's  account,  for  they  lived  in  barracks,  was,  in 
a  few  weeks,  rather  alarming.  Cecilia  applied  to  her  family, 
who  very  kindly  sent  her  word  that  she  might  starve ;  but, 
the  advice  neither  suiting  her  nor  her  husband,  she  then 
14 


THE  BACHELOR 

wrote  to  her  cousin  Antony,  who  sent  her  word  that  he  would 
be  most  happy  to  receive  them  at  his  table,  and  that  they 
should  take  up  their  abode  in  Finsbury  Square.  This  was 
exactly  what  they  wished ;  but  still  there  was  a  certain 
difficulty ;  Lieutenant  Templemore's  regiment  was  quartered 
in  a  town  in  Yorkshire,  which  was  some  trifling  distance  from 
Finsbury  Square ;  and  to  be  at  Mr.  Witherington's  dinner- 
table  at  6  P.M.,  with  the  necessity  of  appearing  at  parade 
every  morning  at  9  A.M.,  was  a  dilemma  not  to  be  got  out 
of.  Several  letters  were  interchanged  upon  this  knotty  sub- 
ject ;  and  at  last  it  was  agreed  that  Mr.  Templemore  should 
sell  out,  and  come  up  to  Mr.  Witherington  with  his  pretty 
wife.  He  did  so,  and  found  that  it  was  much  more  comfort- 
able to  turn  out  at  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning  to  a  good 
breakfast  than  to  a  martial  parade.  But  Mr.  Templemore 
had  an  honest  pride  and  independence  of  character  which 
would  not  permit  him  to  eat  the  bread  of  idleness,  and 
after  a  sojourn  of  two  months  in  most  comfortable  quarters, 
without  a  messman's  bill,  he  frankly  stated  his  feelings  to 
Mr.  Witherington,  and  requested  his  assistance  to  procure 
for  himself  an  honourable  livelihood.  Mr.  Witherington, 
who  had  become  attached  to  them  both,  would  have  remon- 
strated, observing  that  Cecilia  was  his  own  cousin,  and  that 
he  was  a  confirmed  bachelor;  but,  in  this  instance,  Mr. 
Templemore  was  firm,  and  Mr.  Witherington  very  unwillingly 
consented.  A  mercantile  house  of  the  highest  respectability 
required  a  partner  who  could  superintend  their  consignments 
to  America.  Mr.  Witherington  advanced  the  sum  required ; 
and  in  a  few  weeks  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Templemore  sailed  for 
New  York. 

Mr.  Templemore  was  active  and  intelligent ;  their  affairs 
prospered ;  and  in  a  few  years  they  anticipated  a  return  to 
their  native  soil  with  a  competence.  But  the  autumn  of  the 
second  year  after  their  arrival  proved  very  sickly ;  the  yellow 
fever  raged ;  and  among  the  thousands  who  were  carried  off 
Mr.  Templemore  was  a  victim,  about  three  weeks  after  his 
15 


THE  PIRATE 

wife  had  been  brought  to  bed  of  twins.  Mrs.  Templemore 
rose  from  her  couch  a  widow  and  the  mother  of  two  fine 
boys.  The  loss  of  Mr.  Templemore  was  replaced  by  the 
establishment  with  which  he  was  connected,  and  Mr. 
Witherington  offered  to  his  cousin  that  asylum  which,  in 
her  mournful  and  unexpected  bereavement,  she  so  much 
required.  In  three  months  her  affairs  were  arranged ;  and 
with  her  little  boys  hanging  at  the  breasts  of  two  negro 
nurses — for  no  others  could  be  procured  who  would  under- 
take the  voyage — Mrs.  Templemore,  with  Coco  as  male 
servant,  embarked  on  board  of  the  good  ship  Circassian,  A  1, 
bound  to  Liverpool. 


CHAPTER  III 

THE    GALE 

J.  HOSE  who,  standing  on  the  pier,  had  witnessed  the  proud 
bearing  of  the  Circassian  as  she  gave  her  canvas  to  the  winds, 
little  contemplated  her  fate :  still  less  did  those  on  board ; 
for  confidence  is  the  characteristic  of  seamen,  and  they  have 
the  happy  talent  of  imparting  their  confidence  to  whomsoever 
may  be  in  their  company.  We  shall  pass  over  the  voyage, 
confining  ourselves  to  a  description  of  the  catastrophe. 

It  was  during  a  gale  from  the  north-west,  which  had  con- 
tinued for  three  days,  and  by  which  the  Circassian  had  been 
driven  into  the  Bay  of  Biscay,  that,  at  about  twelve  o'clock  at 
night,  a  slight  lull  was  perceptible.  The  captain,  who  had  re- 
mained on  deck,  sent  down  for  the  chief  mate.  "  Oswald," 
said  Captain  Ingram,  "the  gale  is  breaking,  and  I  think  be- 
fore morning  we  shall  have  had  the  worst  of  it.  I  shall  lie 
down  for  an  hour  or  two  :  call  me  if  there  be  any  change." 

Oswald  Bareth,  a  tall,  sinewy-built,  and  handsome  specimen 
of  transatlantic  growth,  examined  the  whole  circumference 
of  the  horizon  before  he  replied.  At  last  his  eyes  were 


THE  GALE 

steadily  fixed  to  leeward :  "  I've  a  notion  not,  sir/'  said  he  ; 
"  I  see  no  signs  of  clearing  off  to  leeward  :  only  a  lull  for 
relief,  and  a  fresh  hand  at  the  bellows,  depend  upon  it." 

"We  have  now  had  it  three  days,"  replied  Captain  Ingram, 
"and  that's  the  life  of  a  summer's  gale." 

"  Yes,"  rejoined  the  mate;  "but  always  provided  that  it 
don't  blow  black  again.  I  don't  like  the  look  of  it,  sir ;  and 
have  it  back  we  shall,  as  sure  as  there's  snakes  in  Virgiimy." 

"  Well,  so  be  if  so  be,"  was  the  safe  reply  of  the  captain. 
"You  must  keep  a  sharp  look-out,  Bareth,  and  don't  leave 
the  deck  to  call  me ;  send  a  hand  down." 

The  captain  descended  to  his  cabin.  Oswald  looked  at  the 
compass  in  the  binnacle — spoke  a  few  words  to  the  man  at 
the  helm — gave  one  or  two  terrible  kicks  in  the  ribs  to  sonic 
of  the  men  who  were  caulking — sounded  the  pump- well — put 
a  fresh  quid  of  tobacco  into  his  cheek,  and  then  proceeded 
to  examine  the  heavens  above.  A  cloud,  much  darker  and 
more  descending  than  the  others,  which  obscured  the  firma- 
ment, spread  over  the  zenith,  and  based  itself  upon  the 
horizon  to  leeward.  Oswald's  eye  had  been  fixed  upon  it 
but  a  few  seconds,  when  he  beheld  a  small  lambent  gleam  of 
lightning  pierce  through  the  most  opaque  part  ;  then  another, 
and  more  vivid.  Of  a  sudden  the  wind  lulled,  and  the  Cir- 
cassian righted  from  her  careen.  Again  the  wind  howled, 
and  again  the  vessel  was  pressed  down  to  her  bearings  by  its 
force  ;  again  another  flash  of  lightning,  which  was  followed 
by  a  distant  peal  of  thunder. 

"  Had  the  worst  of  it,  did  you  say,  captain  ?  I've  a  notion 
that  the  worst  is  yet  to  come,"  muttered  Oswald,  still  watch- 
ing the  heavens. 

"How  does  she  carry  her  helm,  Matthew?"  inquired 
Oswald,  walking  aft. 

"Spoke  a-weather." 

"  I'll  have  that  trysail  off  of  her,  at  any  rate,"  continued  the 
mate.  "  Aft,  there,  my  lads !  and  lower  down  the  trysail. 
Keep  the  sheet  fast  till  it's  down,  or  the  flogging  wilJ  frighten 

17  B 


THE   PIRATE 

the  lady-passenger  out  of  her  wits.  Well,  if  ever  I  own  a 
craft,  I'll  have  no  women  on  board.  Dollars  shan't  tempt 
me." 

The  lightning  now  played  in  rapid  forks ;  and  the  loud 
thunder,  which  instantaneously  followed  each  flash,  proved  its 
near  approach.  A  deluge  of  slanting  rain  descended — the 
wind  lulled — roared  again — then  lullefl — shifted  a  point  or 
two,  and  the  drenched  and  heavy  sails  flapped. 

"  Up  with  the  helm,  Mat !  "  cried  Oswald,  as  a  near  flash  of 
lightning  for  a  moment  blinded,  and  the  accompanying  peal 
of  thunder  deafened,  those  on  deck.  Again  the  wind  blew 
strong — it  ceased,  and  it  was  a  dead  calm.  The  sails  hung 
down  from  the  yards,  and  the  rain  descended  in  perpendicular 
torrents,  while  the  ship  rocked  to  and  fro  in  the  trough  of  the 
sea,  and  the  darkness  became  suddenly  intense. 

"  Down,  there,  one  of  you  !  and  call  the  captain,"  said 
Oswald.  "  By  the  Lord  !  we  shall  have  it.  Main  braces 
there,  men,  and  square  the  yards.  Be  smart !  That  topsail 
should  have  been  in,"  muttered  the  mate ;  "  but  I'm  not 
captain.  Square  away  the  yards,  my  lads  ! "  continued  he ; 
"  quick,  quick  ! — there's  no  child's  play  here  !  " 

Owing  to  the  difficulty  of  finding  and  passing  the  ropes  to 
each  other,  from  the  intensity  of  the  darkness,  and  the  deluge 
of  rain  which  blinded  them,  the  men  were  not  able  to  execute 
the  order  of  the  mate  so  soon  as  it  was  necessary ;  and  before 
they  could  accomplish  their  task,  or  Captain  Ingram  could 
gain  the  deck,  the  wind  suddenly  burst  upon  the  devoted 
vessel  from  the  quarter  directly  opposite  to  that  from  which 
the  gale  had  blown,  taking  her  all  aback,  and  throwing  her 
on  her  beam-ends.  The  man  at  the  helm  was  hurled  over 
the  wheel ;  while  the  rest,  who  were  with  Oswald  at  the 
main-bits,  with  the  coils  of  ropes,  and  every  other  article  on 
deck  not  secured,  were  rolled  into  the  scuppers,  struggling 
to  extricate  themselves  from  the  mass  of  confusion  and  the 
water  in  which  they  floundered.  The  sudden  revulsion 
awoke  all  the  men  below,  who  imagined  that  the  ship  was 
18 


THE   GALE 

foundering;  and,  from  the  only  hatchway  not  secured,  they 
poured  up  in  their  shirts  with  their  other  garments  in  their 
hands,  to  put  them  on — if  fate  permitted. 

Oswald  Bareth  was  the  first  who  clambered  up  from  to 
leeward.  He  gained  the  helm,  which  he  put  hard  up.  Cap- 
tain Ingram  and  some  of  the  seamen  also  gained  the  helm. 
It  is  the  rendezvous  of  all  good  seamen  in  emergencies  of 
this  description ;  but  the  howling  of  the  gale— the  blinding 
of  the  rain  and  salt  spray — the  seas  checked  in  their  running 
by  the  shift  of  wind,  and  breaking  over  the  ship  in  vast 
masses  of  water — the  tremendous  peals  of  thunder — and  the 
intense  darkness  which  accompanied  these  horrors,  added  to 
the  inclined  position  of  the  vessel,  which  obliged  them  to 
climb  from  one  part  of  the  deck  to  another,  for  some  time 
checked  all  profitable  communication.  Their  only  friend,  in 
this  conflict  of  the  elements,  was  the  lightning  (unhappy, 
indeed,  the  situation  in  which  lightning  can  be  welcomed  as 
a  friend) ;  but  its  vivid  and  forked  flames,  darting  down  upon 
every  quarter  of  the  horizon,  enabled  them  to  perceive  their 
situation ;  and,  awful  as  it  was,  when  momentarily  presented 
to  their  sight,  it  was  not  so  awful  as  darkness  and  uncertainty. 
To  those  who  have  been  accustomed  to  the  difficulties  and 
dangers  of  a  sea-faring  life,  there  are  no  lines  which  speak 
more  forcibly  to  the  imagination,  or  prove  the  beauty  and 
power  of  the  Greek  poet,  than  those  in  the  noble  prayer  of 
Ajax: — 

"  Lord  of  earth  and  air, 
O  king  !  O  father  1  hear  my  humble  prayer. 
Dispel  this  cloud,  the  light  of  heaven  restore  ; 
Give  me  to  see — and  Ajax  asks  no  more. 
If  Greece  must  perish — we  thy  will  obey ; 
But  let  us  perish  in  the  face  of  day  !  " 

Oswald  gave  the  helm  to  two  of  the  seamen,  and  with  his 

knife    cut   adrift  the    axes,  which    were    lashed   round    the 

mizen-mast  in  painted  canvas  covers.     One  he  retained  for 

himself — the  others  he  put  into  the  hands  of  the  boatswain 

19 


THE    PIRATE 

and  the  second  mate.  To  speak  so  as  to  be  heard  was  almost 
impossible,  from  the  tremendous  roaring  of  the  wind  ;  but  the 
lamp  still  burned  in  the  binnacle,  and  by  its  feeble  light 
C'aptain  Ingram  could  distinguish  the  signs  made  by  the 
mate,  and  could  give  his  consent.  It  was  necessary  that  the 
ship  should  be  put  before  the  wind,  and  the  helm  had  no 
power  over  her.  In  a  short  time  the  lanyards  of  the  mizen 
rigging  were  severed,  and  the  mizen-mast  went  over  the 
side,  almost  unperceived  by  the  crew  on  the  other  parts  of 
the  deck,  or  even  those  near,  had  it  not  been  from  blows 
received  by  those  who  were  too  close  to  it,  from  the  falling 
of  the  topsail  sheets  and  the  rigging  about  the  mast. 

Oswald,  with  his  companions,  regained  the  binnacle,  and 
for  little  while  watched  the  compass.  The  ship  did  not  pay 
off,  and  appeared  to  settle  down  more  into  the  water.  Again 
Oswald  made  his  signs,  and  again  the  captain  gave  his  assent. 
Forward  sprang  the  undaunted  mate,  clinging  to  the  bulwark 
and  belaying-pins,  and  followed  by  his  hardy  companions, 
until  they  had  all  three  gained  the  main  channels.  Here, 
their  exposure  to  the  force  of  the  breaking  waves,  and  the 
stoutness  of  the  ropes  yielding  but  slowly  to  the  blows  of  the 
axes,  which  were  used  almost  under  water,  rendered  the 
service  one  of  extreme  difficulty  and  danger.  The  boatswain 
was  washed  over  the  bulwark  and  dashed  to  leeward,  where 
the  lee-rigging  only  saved  him  from  a  watery  grave.  Un- 
subdued, he  again  climbed  up  to  windward,  rejoined  and 
assisted  his  companions.  The  last  blow  was  given  by  Oswald 
— the  lanyards  flew  through  the  dead-eyes — and  the  tall  mast 
disappeared  in  the  foaming  seas.  Oswald  and  his  companions 
hastened  from  their  dangerous  position,  and  rejoined  the 
captain,  who,  with  many  of  the  crew,  still  remained  near  the 
wheel.  The  ship  now  slowly  paid  off  and  righted.  In  a  few 
minutes  she  was  flying  before  the  gale,  rolling  heavily,  and 
occasionally  striking  upon  the  wrecks  of  the  masts,  which  she 
towed  with  her  by  the  lee-rigging. 

Although  the  wind  blew  with  as  much  violence  as  before, 


THE   LEAK 

still  it  was  not  with  the  same  noise,  now  that  the  ship  was 
before  the  wind  with  her  after-masts  gone.  The  next  service 
was  to  clear  the  ship  of  the  wrecks  of  the  masts ;  but, 
although  all  now  assisted,  but  little  could  be  effected  until 
the  day  had  dawned,  and  even  then  it  was  a  service  of  danger, 
as  the  ship  rolled  gunwale  under.  Those  who  performed  the 
duty  were  slung  in  ropes,  that  they  might  not  be  washed 
away;  and  hardly  was  it  completed,  when  a  heavy  roll, 
assisted  by  a  jerking  heave  from  a  sea  which  struck  her  on 
the  chesstree,  sent  the  foremast  over  the  starboard  cathead. 
Thus  was  the  Circassian  dismasted  in  the  gale. 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE    LEAK 

1  HE  wreck  of  the  foremast  was  cleared  from  the  ship  ;  the 
gale  continued ;  but  the  sun  shone  brightly  and  warmly. 
The  Circassian  was  again  brought  to  the  wind.  All  danger 
was  now  considered  to  be  over,  and  the  seamen  joked  and 
laughed  as  they  were  busied  in  preparing  jury-masts  to 
enable  them  to  reach  their  destined  port. 

"  I  wouldn't  have  cared  so  much  about  this  spree,"  said 
the  boatswain,  "  if  it  warn't  for  the  mainmast ;  it  was  such 
a  beauty.  There's  not  another  stick  to  be  found  equal  to 
it  in  the  whole  length  of  the  Mississippi." 

"Bah!  man/'  replied  Oswald;  "there's  as  good  fish  in 
the  sea  as  ever  came  out  of  it,  and  as  good  sticks  growing 
as  ever  were  felled ;  but  I  guess  we'll  pay  pretty  dear  for 
our  spars  when  we  get  to  Liverpool — but  that  concerns  the 
owners." 

The  wind,  which  at  the  time  of  its  sudden  change  to  the 

southward   and   eastward    had   blown   with    the    force    of  a 

hurricane,  now  settled   into  a  regular  strong  gale,  such  as 

sailors  are  prepared   to   meet  and  laugh   at.     The  sky  was 

21 


THE   PIRATE 

also  bright  and  clear,  and  they  had  not  the  danger  of  a  lee 
shore.  It  was  a  delightful  change  after  a  night  of  darkness, 
danger,  and  confusion ;  and  the  men  worked  that  they 
might  get  sufficient  sail  on  the  ship  to  steady  her,  and  enable 
them  to  shape  a  course. 

"  I  suppose,  now  that  we  have  the  trysail  on  her  forward, 
the  captain  will  be  for  running  for  it,"  observed  one  who  was 
busy  turning  in  a  dead-eye. 

"  Yes,"  replied  the  boatswain  ;  "  and  with  this  wind  on  our 
quarter  we  shan't  want  much  sail,  I've  a  notion." 

"  Well  then,  one  advantage  in  losing  your  mast — you 
haven't  much  trouble  about  the  rigging." 

"  Trouble  enough,  though,  Bill,  when  we  get  in,"  replied 
another  gruffly ;  "  new  lower  rigging  to  parcel  and  sarve, 
and  every  block  to  turn  in  afresh." 

"Never  mind,  longer  in  port — I'll  get  spliced." 

"  Why,  how  often  do  you  mean  to  get  spliced,  Bill  ? 
You've  a  wife  in  every  State,  to  my  sartin  knowledge." 

"I  arn't  got  one  at  Liverpool,  Jack." 

"  Well,  you  may  take  one  there,  Bill ;  for  you've  been  sweet 
upon  that  nigger  girl  for  these  last  three  weeks." 

"  Any  port  in  a  storm,  but  she  won't  do  for  harbour  duty. 
But  the  fact  is,  you're  all  wrong  there,  Jack :  it's  the  babbies 
I  likes — I  likes  to  see  them  both  together,  hanging  at  the 
niggers'  breasts,  I  always  think  of  two  spider-monkeys 
nursing  two  kittens." 

"  I  knows  the  women,  but  I  never  knows  the  children.  It's 
just  six  of  one  and  half-a-dozen  of  the  other  ;  ain't  it,  Bill  ?  " 

"  Yes ;  like  two  bright  bullets  out  of  the  same  mould.  I 
say,  Bill,  did  any  of  your  wives  ever  have  twins  ?  " 

"  No ;  nor  I  don't  intend,  until  the  owners  give  us  double 

pay-" 

"  By-the-bye,"  interrupted  Oswald,  who  had  been  standing 
under  the  weather  bulk-head,  listening  to  the  conversation, 
and  watching  the  work  in  progress,  "we  may  just  as  well 
see  if  she  has  made  any  water  with  all  this  straining  and 

22 


THE  LEAK 

buffeting.    By  the  Lord  !  I  never  thought  of  that.    Carpenter, 
lay  down  your  adze  and  sound  the  well." 

The  carpenter,  who,  notwithstanding  the  uneasiness  of 
the  dismasted  vessel,  was  performing  his  important  share  of 
the  work,  immediately  complied  with  the  order.  He  drew 
up  the  rope-yarn,  to  which  an  iron  rule  had  been  suspended, 
and  lowered  down  into  the  pump-well,  and  perceived  that 
the  water  was  dripping  from  it.  Imagining  that  it  must 
have  been  wet  from  the  quantity  of  water  shipped  over  all, 
the  carpenter  disengaged  the  rope-yarn  from  the  rule,  drew 
another  from  the  junk  lying  on  the  deck,  which  the  seamen 
were  working  up,  and  then  carefully  proceeded  to  plumb  the 
well.  He  hauled  it  up,  and,  looking  at  it  for  some  moments 
aghast,  exclaimed,  "  Seven  feet  water  in  the  hold,  by  G — d  !" 

If  the  crew  of  the  Circassian,  the  whole  of  which  were  on 
deck,  had  been  struck  with  an  electric  shock,  the  sudden 
change  of  their  countenances  could  not  have  been  greater 
than  was  produced  by  this  appalling  intelligence. 

Heap  upon  sailors  every  disaster,  every  danger  which  can 
be  accumulated  from  the  waves,  the  wind,  the  elements,  or 
the  enemy,  and  they  will  bear  up  against  them  with  a 
courage  amounting  to  heroism.  All  that  they  demand  is, 
that  the  one  plank  "  between  them  and  death  "  is  sound,  and 
they  will  trust  to  their  own  energies,  and  will  be  confident 
in  their  own  skill :  but  spring  a  leak,  and  they  are  half  para- 
lysed ;  and  if  it  gain  upon  them  they  are  subdued ;  for  when 
they  find  that  their  exertions  are  futile,  they  are  little  better 
than  children. 

Oswald  sprang  to  the  pumps  when  he  heard  the  carpenter's 
report.  "  Try  again,  Abel — it  cannot  be :  cut  away  that 
line  ;  hand  us  here  a  dry  rope-yarn." 

Once  more  the  well  was  sounded  by  Oswald,  and  the 
result  was  the  same.  "  We  must  rig  the  pumps,  my  lads," 
said  the  mate,  endeavouring  to  conceal  his  own  fears ;  "  half 
this  water  must  have  found  its  way  in  when  she  was  on  her 
beam-ends." 

23 


THE   PIRATE 

This  idea,  so  judiciously  thrown  out,  was  caught  at  by 
the  seamen,  who  hastened  to  obey  the  order,  while  Oswald 
went  down  to  acquaint  the  captain,  who,  worn-out  with 
watching  and  fatigue,  had,  now  that  danger  was  considered 
to  be  over,  thrown  himself  into  his  cot  to  obtain  a  few  hours' 
repose. 

"  Do  you  think,  Bareth,  that  we  have  sprung  a  leak  ?  "  said 
the  captain  earnestly.  "  She  never  could  have  taken  in  that 
quantity  of  water." 

"Never,  sir,"  replied  the  mate;  "but  she  has  been  so 
strained,  that  she  may  have  opened  her  top-sides.  I  trust 
it  is  no  worse." 

"  What  is  your  opinion,  then  ?  " 

"I  am  afraid  that  the  wreck  of  the  masts  have  injured 
her ;  you  may  recollect  how  often  we  struck  against  them 
before  we  could  clear  ourselves  of  them  ;  once,  particularly, 
the  mainmast  appeared  to  be  right  under  her  bottom,  I 
recollect,  and  she  struck  very  heavy  on  it." 

"Well,  it  is  God's  will;  let  us  get  on  deck  as  .fast  as 
we  can." 

When  they  arrived  on  deck,  the  carpenter  walked  up  to 
the  captain,  and  quietly  said  to  him,  "  Seven  feet  three,  sir." 
The  pumps  were  then  in  full  action  ;  the  men  had  divided, 
by  the  direction  of  the  boatswain,  and,  stripped  naked  to  the 
waist,  relieved  each  other  every  two  minutes.  For  half-an- 
hour  they  laboured  incessantly 

This  was  the  half-hour  of  suspense :  the  great  point  to  be 
ascertained  was,  whether  she  leaked  through  the  top-sides, 
and  had  taken  in  the  water  during  the  second  gale ;  if  so, 
there  was  every  hope  of  keeping  it  under.  Captain  Ingram 
and  the  mate  remained  in  silence  near  the  capstern,  the 
former  with  his  watch  in  his  hand,  during  the  time  that  the 
sailors  exerted  themselves  to  the  utmost.  It  was  ten  minutes 
past  seven  when  the  half-hour  had  expired ;  the  well  was 
sounded  and  the  line  carefully  measured — Seven  feet  six 
inches  !  So  that  the  water  had  gained  upon  them,  notwith- 
24 


THE  LEAK 

standing  that  they  had  plied  the  pumps  to  the  utmost  of 
their  strength. 

A  mute  look  of  despair  was  exchanged  among  the  crew, 
but  it  was  followed  up  by  curses  and  execrations.  Captain 
Ingram  remained  silent,  with  his  lips  compressed. 

"  It's  all  over  with  us  ! "  exclaimed  one  of  the  men. 

"  Not  yet,  my  lads ;  we  have  one  more  chance,"  said 
Oswald.  "I've  a  notion  that  the  ship's  sides  have  been 
opened  by  the  infernal  straining  of  last  night,  and  that  she 
is  now  taking  it  in  at  the  top-sides  generally ;  if  so,  we  have 
only  to  put  her  before  the  wind  again,  and  have  another  good 
spell  at  the  pumps.  When  no  longer  strained,  as  she  is  now 
with  her  broadside  to  the  sea,  she  will  close  all  up  again." 

"  I  shouldn't  wonder  if  Mr.  Bareth  is  not  right,"  replied 
the  carpenter  ;  "  however,  that's  my  notion,  too." 

"  And  mine,"  added  Captain  Ingram.  "  Come,  my  men  ! 
never  say  die  while  there's  a  shot  in  the  locker.  Let's  try 
her  again."  And,  to  encourage  the  men,  Captain  Ingram 
threw  off  his  coat  and  assisted  at  the  first  spell,  while  Oswald 
went  to  the  helm  and  put  the  ship  before  the  wind. 

As  the  Circassian  rolled  before  the  gale,  the  lazy  manner 
in  which  she  righted  proved  how  much  water  there  was  in 
the  hold.  The  seamen  exerted  themselves  for  a  whole  hour 
without  intermission,  and  the  well  was  again  sounded — eight 
feet/ 

The  men  did  not  assert  that  they  would  pump  no  longer ; 
but  they  too  plainly  showed  their  intentions  by  each  resuming 
in  silence  his  shirt  and  jacket,  which  he  had  taken  off  at  the 
commencement  of  his  exertions. 

"  What's  to  be  done,  Oswald  ? "  said  Captain  Ingram,  as 
they  walked  aft.  "  You  see  the  men  will  pump  no  longer ; 
nor,  indeed,  would  it  be  of  any  use.  We  are  doomed." 

"  The   Circassian  is,   sir,  I  am  afraid,"  replied  the   mate : 
"  pumping  is  of  no  avail ;  they  could  not  keep  her  afloat  till 
daybreak.     We  must  therefore  trust  to  our  boats,  which  I 
believe  to  be  all  sound,  and  quit  her  before  night." 
25 


THE  PIRATE 

"Crowded  boats  in  such  a  sea  as  this  !"  replied  Captain 
Ingram,  shaking  his  head  mournfully. 

"  Are  bad  enough,  I  grant ;  but  better  than  the  sea  itself. 
All  we  can  do  now  is  to  try  and  keep  the  men  sober,  and  if 
we  can  do  so  it  will  be  better  than  to  fatigue  them  uselessly  ; 
they'll  want  all  their  strength  before  they  put  foot  again 
upon  dry  land — if  ever  they  are  so  fortunate.  Shall  I  speak 
to  them  ?  " 

"  Do,  Oswald,"  replied  the  captain  ;  "  for  myself  I  care 
little,  God  knows;  but  my  wife — my  children  ! " 

"  My  lads,"  said  Oswald,  going  forward  to  the  men,  who 
had  waited  in  moody  silence  the  result  of  the  conference — 
"as  for  pumping  any  Jonger  it  would  be  only  wearing  out 
your  strength  for  no  good.  We  must  now  look  to  our  boats ; 
and  a  good  boat  is  better  than  a  bad  ship.  Still  this  gale 
and  cross-running  sea  are  rather  too  much  for  boats  at  present ; 
we  had  therefore  better  stick  to  the  ship  as  long  as  we  can. 
Let  us  set  to  with  a  will  and  get  the  boats  ready,  with  pro- 
visions, water,  and  what  else  may  be  needful,  and  then  we 
must  trust  to  God's  mercy  and  our  own  endeavours." 

"No  boat  can  stand  this  sea,"  observed  one  of  the  men. 
"  I'm  of  opinion,  as  it's  to  be  a  short  life,  it  may  as  well  be  a 
merry  one.  What  d'ye  say,  my  lads  ?  "  continued  he,  appeal- 
ing to  the  men. 

Several  of  the  crew  were  of  the  same  opinion  ;  but  Oswald, 
stepping  forward,  seized  one  of  the  axes  which  lay  at  the 
main-bits,  and  going  up  to  the  seaman  who  had  spoken,  looked 
him  steadfastly  in  the  face — 

"Williams,"  said  the  mate,  "a  short  life  it  may  be  to  all  of 
us,  but  not  a  merry  one  ;  the  meaning  of  which  I  understand 
very  well.  Sorry  I  shall  be  to  have  your  blood,  or  that  of 
others,  on  my  hands ;  but  as  sure  as  there's  a  heaven,  I'll 
cleave  to  the  shoulder  the  first  man  who  attempts  to  break 
into  the  spirit-room.  You  know  I  never  joke.  Shame  upon 
you  !  Do  you  call  yourselves  men,  when,  for  the  sake  of  a 
little  liquor  now,  you  would  lose  your  only  chance  of  getting 
26 


THE  LEAK 

drunk  every  day  as  soon  as  we  get  on  shore  again  ?  There's 
a  time  for  all  things  ;  and  I've  a  notion  this  is  a  time  to  be 
sober." 

As  most  of  the  crew  sided  with  Oswald,  the  weaker  party 
were  obliged  to  submit,  and  the  preparations  were  com- 
menced. The  two  boats  on  the  booms  were  found  to  be  in 
good  condition.  One  party  was  employed  cutting  away  the 
bulwarks,  that  the  boats  might  be  launched  over  the  side,  as 
there  were  no  means  of  hoisting  them  out.  The  well  was 
again  sounded.  Nine  feet  water  in  the  hold,  and  the  ship 
evidently  settling  fast.  Two  hours  had  now  passed,  and  the 
gale  was  not  so  violent ;  the  sea,  also,  which  at  the  change  of 
wind  had  been  cross,  appeared  to  have  recovered  its  regular 
run.  All  was  ready  ;  the  sailors,  once  at  work  again,  had,  in 
some  measure,  recovered  their  spirits,  and  were  buoyed  up 
with  fresh  hopes  at  the  slight  change  in  their  favour  from 
the  decrease  of  the  wind.  The  two  boats  were  quite  large 
enough  to  contain  the  whole  of  the  crew  and  passengers  ;  but, 
as  the  sailors  said  among  themselves  (proving  the  kindness  of 
their  hearts),  "  What  was  to  become  of  those  two  poor  babbies, 
in  an  open  boat  for  days  and  nights,  perhaps  ? "  Captain 
Ingram  had  gone  down  to  Mrs.  Templemore,  to  impart  to 
her  their  melancholy  prospects ;  and  the  mother's  heart,  as 
well  as  the  mother's  voice,  echoed  the  words  of  the  seamen, 
"  What  will  become  of  my  poor  babes  ?  " 

It  was  not  till  nearly  six  o'clock  in  the  evening  that  all  was 
ready :  the  ship  was  slowly  brought  to  the  wind  again,  and 
the  boats  launched  over  the  side.  By  this  time  the  gale 
was  much  abated  ;  but  the  vessel  was  full  of  water,  and  was 
expected  soon  to  go  down. 

There  is  no  time  in  which  coolness  and  determination  are 
more  required  than  in  a  situation  like  the  one  in  which  we 
have  attempted  to  describe.  It  is  impossible  to  know  the 
precise  moment  at  which  a  water-logged  vessel,  in  a  heavy 
sea,  may  go  down  ;  and  its  occupants  are  in  a  state  of  mental 
fever,  with  the  idea  of  their  remaining  in  her  so  late  that 
27 


THE   PIRATE 

she  will  suddenly  submerge,  and  leave  them  to  struggle  in 
the  wave.  This  feeling  actuated  many  of  the  crew  of  the 
Circassian,  and  they  had  already  retreated  to  the  boats.  All 
was  arranged ;  Oswald  had  charge  of  one  boat,  and  it  was 
agreed  that  the  larger  should  receive  Mrs.  Templemore  and 
her  children,  under  the  protection  of  Captain  Ingram.  The 
number  appointed  to  Oswald's  boat  being  completed  he 
shoved  off,  to  make  room  for  the  other,  and  laid  to  to  leeward, 
waiting  to  keep  company.  Mrs.  Templemore  came  up  with 
Captain  Ingram,  and  was  assisted  by  him  into  the  boat.  The 
nurse,  with  one  child,  was  at  last  placed  by  her  side  ;  Coco  was 
leading  Judy,  the  other  nurse,  with  the  remaining  infant 
in  her  arms ;  and  Captain  Ingram,  who  had  been  obliged 
to  go  into  the  boat  with  the  first  child,  was  about  to  return 
to  assist  Judy  with  the  other,  when  the  ship  gave  a  heavy 
pitch,  and  her  forecastle  was  buried  in  the  wave  ;  at  the 
same  time  the  gunwale  of  the  boat  was  stove  by  coming 
in  contact  with  the  side  of  the  vessel.  "  She's  down,  by 
G — d  ! "  exclaimed  the  alarmed  seamen  in  the  boat,  shoving 
off  to  escape  from  the  vortex. 

Captain  Ingram,  who  was  standing  on  the  boat's  thwarts 
to  assist  Judy,  was  thrown  back  into  the  bottom  of  the  boat ; 
and  before  he  could  extricate  himself,  the  boat  was  separated 
from  the  ship,  and  had  drifted  to  leeward. 

"  My  child  !  "  screamed  the  mother ;  "  my  child  !  " 

"  Pull  to  again,  my  lads ! "  cried  Captain  Ingram,  seizing 
the  tiller. 

The  men,  who  had  been  alarmed  at  the  idea  that  the  ship 
was  going  down,  now  that  they  saw  that  she  was  still  afloat, 
got  out  the  oars  and  attempted  to  regain  her,  but  in  vain — 
they  could  not  make  head  against  the  sea  and  wind.  Further 
and  further  did  they  drift  to  leeward,  notwithstanding  their 
exertions  ;  while  the  frantic  mother  extended  her  arms,  im- 
ploring and  entreating.  Captain  Ingram,  who  had  stimulated 
the  sailors  to  the  utmost,  perceived  that  further  attempts 


THE  OLD   MAID 

"  My  child !  my  child  ! "  screamed  Mrs.  Templemore, 
standing  up,  and  holding  out  her  arms  towards  the  vessel. 
At  a  sign  from  the  captain,  the  head  of  the  boat  was  veered 
round.  The  bereaved  mother  knew  that  all  hope  was  gone, 
and  she  fell  down  in  a  state  of  insensibility. 


CHAPTER  V 

THE    OLD    MAID 

v/NE  morning,  shortly  after  the  disasters  which  we  have 
described,  Mr.  Witherington  descended  to  his  breakfast-room 
somewhat  earlier  than  usual,  and  found  his  green  morocco 
easy-chair  already  tenanted  by  no  less  a  personage  than 
William  the  footman,  who,  with  his  feet  on  the  fender,  was 
so  attentively  reading  the  newspaper  that  he  did  not  hear  his 
master's  entrance.  "  By  my  ancestor,  who  fought  on  his 
stumps !  but  I  hope  you  are  quite  comfortable,  Mr.  William  ; 
nay,  I  beg  I  may  not  disturb  you,  sir." 

William,  although  as  impudent  as  most  of  his  fraternity, 
was  a  little  taken  aback  :  "  I  beg  your  pardon,  sir,  but  Mr. 
Jonathan  had  not  time  to  look  over  the  paper." 

"Nor  is  it  required  that  he  should,  that  I  know  of,  sir." 

"  Mr.  Jonathan  says,  sir,  that  it  is  always  right  to  look  over 
the  deaths,  that  news  of  that  kind  may  not  shock  you." 

"Very  considerate,  indeed." 

"  And  there  is  a  story  there,  sir,  about  a  shipwreck." 

"  A  shipwreck  !  where,  W7illiam  ?  God  bless  me  !  where 
is  it?" 

"  I  am  afraid  it  is  the  same  ship  you  are  so  anxious  about, 
sir — the 1  forget  the  name,  sir." 

Mr.  Witherington  took  the  newspaper,  and  his  eye  soon 
caught  the  paragraph  in  which  the  rescue  of  the  two  negroes 
and  child  from  the  wreck  of  the  Circassian  was  fully  detailed. 

"  It  is  indeed  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Witherington.  "  My  poor 
29 


THE  PIRATE 

Cecilia  in  an  open  boat !  one  of  the  boats  was  seen  to  go 
down — perhaps  she's  dead — merciful  God  !  one  boy  saved. 
Mercy  on  me  !  where's  Jonathan  ?  " 

"  Here,  sir,"  replied  Jonathan,  very  solemnly,  who  had  just 
brought  in  the  eggs,  and  now  stood  erect  as  a  mute  behind 
his  master's  chair,  for  it  was  a  case  of  danger,  if  not  of  death. 

"I  must  go  to  Portsmouth  immediately  after  breakfast 
shan't  eat,  though — appetite  all  gone." 

"  People  seldom  do,  sir,  on  these  melancholy  occasions," 
replied  Jonathan.  "  Will  you  take  your  own  carriage,  sir,  or 
a  mourning  coach  ?  " 

"A  mourning  coach  at  fourteen  miles  an  hour,  with  two 
pair  of  horses  !  Jonathan,  you're  crazy." 

"  Will  you  please  to  have  black  silk  hatbands  and  gloves 
for  the  coachman  and  servants  who  attend  you,  sir  ?  " 

"  Confound  your  shop  !  no ;  this  is  a  resurrection,  not  a 
death  :  it  appears  that  the  negro  thinks  only  one  of  the  boats 
went  down." 

"  Mora  omnia  vincit,"  quoth  Jonathan,  casting  up  his  eyes. 

"  Never  you  mind  that ;  mind  your  own  business.  That's 
the  postman's  knock — see  if  there  are  any  letters." 

There  were  several ;  and  amongst  the  others  there  was  one 
from  Captain  Maxwell,  of  the  Eurydice,  detailing  the  circum- 
stances already  known,  and  informing  Mr.  Witherington  that 
he  had  despatched  the  two  negroes  and  the  child  to  his 
address  by  that  day's  coach,  and  that  one  of  the  officers,  who 
was  going  to  town  by  the  same  conveyance,  would  see  them 
safe  to  his  house. 

Captain  Maxwell  was  an  old  acquaintance  of  Mr.  Wither- 
ington — had  dined  at  his  house  in  company  with  the  Temple- 
mores,  and  therefore  had  extracted  quite  enough  information 
from  the  negroes  to  know  where  to  direct  them. 

"  By  the  blood  of  my  ancestors  !  they'll  be  here  to-night," 
cried  Mr.  Witherington  ;  "  and  I  have  saved  my  journey.    What 
is  to  be  done  ?  better  tell  Mary  to  get  rooms  ready :  d'ye 
hear,  William  ;  beds  for  one  little  boy  and  two  niggers." 
30 


THE  OLD   MAID 

"  Yes,  sir/'  replied  William ;  "  but  where  are  the  blaci 
people  to  be  put  ?  " 

"  Put !  I  don't  care  ;  one  may  sleep  with  cook,  the  other 
with  Mary." 

"  Very  well,  sir,  I'll  tell  them,"  replied  William,  hasten- 
ing away,  delighted  at  the  row  which  he  anticipated  in  the 
kitchen. 

"  If  you  please,  sir,"  observed  Jonathan,  "  one  of  the  negroes 
is,  I  believe,  a  man." 

"Well,  what  then?" 

"Only,  sir,  the  maids  may  object  to  sleep  with  him." 

"  By  all  the  plagues  of  the  Witheringtons  !  this  is  true ; 
well,  you  may  take  him,  Jonathan— you  like  that  colour." 

"  Not  in  the  dark,  sir,"  replied  Jonathan,  with  a  bow. 

"Well  then,  let  them  sleep  together;  so  that  affair  is 
settled." 

"Are  they  man  and  wife,  sir?"  said  the  butler. 

"The  devil  take  them  both'  how  should  I  know?  Let 
me  have  my  breakfast,  and  we'll  talk  over  the  matter  by- 
and-by." 

Mr.  Witherington  applied  to  his  eggs  and  muffin,  eating 
his  breakfast  as  fast  as  he  could,  without  knowing  why ;  but 
the  reason  was  that  he  was  puzzled  and  perplexed  with  the 
anticipated  arrival,  and  longed  to  think  quietly  over  the 
dilemma,  for  it  was  a  dilemma  to  an  old  bachelor.  As  soon 
as  he  had  swallowed  his  second  cup  of  tea  he  put  himself 
into  his  easy-chair,  in  an  easy  attitude,  and  was  very  soon 
soliloquising  as  follows  : — 

"  By  the  blood  of  the  Witheringtons  !  what  am  I,  an  old 
bachelor,  to  do  with  a  baby,  and  a  wet-nurse  as  black  as 
the  ace  of  spades,  and  another  black  fellow  in  the  bargain  ? 
Send  him  back  again  !  yes,  that's  best  ?  but  the  child — woke 
every  morning  at  five  o'clock  with  its  squalling — obliged  to 
kiss  it  three  times  a  day — pleasant ! — and  then  that  nigger  of 
a  nurse — thick  lips — kissing  child  all  day,  and  then  holding 
it  out  to  me — ignorant  as  a  cow — if  child  has  the  stomach- 
31 


THE   PIRATE 

ache  she'll  cram  a  pepper-pod  clown  its  throat — West  India 
fashion — children  never  without  the  stomach-ache — my  poor, 
poor  cousin  ! — what  has  become  of  her  and  the  other  child, 
too  ? — wish  they  may  pick  her  up,  poor  dear  !  and  then  she 
will  come  and  take  care  of  her  own  children — don't  know 
what  to  do — great  mind  to  send  for  sister  Moggy — but  she's 
so  fussy — won't  be  in  a  hurry.  Think  again." 

Here  Mr.  Witherington  was  interrupted  by  two  taps  at 
the  door. 

"  Come  in,"  said  he  ;  and  the  cook,  with  her  face  as  red  as 
if  she  had  been  dressing  a  dinner  for  eighteen,  made  her 
appearance  without  the  usual  clean  apron. 

"  If  you  please,  sir,"  said  she,  curtseying,  "  I  will  thank  you 
to  suit  yourself  with  another  cook." 

"  Oh,  very  well,"  replied  Mr.  Witherington,  angry  at  the 
interruption. 

"And  if  you  please,  sir,  I  should  like  to  go  this  very  day  — 
indeed,  sir,  I  shall  not  stay." 

"  Go  to  the  devil!  if  you  please,"  replied  Mr.  Witherington 
angrily  ;  "but  first  go  out  and  shut  the  door  after  you." 

The  cook  retired,  and  Mr.  Witherington  was  again  alone. 

"  Confound  the  old  woman — what  a  huff  she  is  in !  won't 
cook  for  black  people,  I  suppose — yes,  that's  it." 

Here  Mr.  Witherington  was  again  interrupted  by  a  second 
double  tap  at  the  door. 

"Oh  !  thought  better  of  it,  I  suppose.     Come  in." 

It  was  not  the  cook,  but  Mary,  the  housemaid,  that 
entered. 

"  If  you  please,  sir,"  said  she,  whimpering,  "  I  should  wish 
to  leave  my  situation." 

"  A  conspiracy,  by  heavens  !     Well,  you  may  go." 

"To-night,  sir,  if  you  please,"  answered  the  woman. 

"  This  moment,  for  all  I  care  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Witherington 
in  his  wrath. 

The  housemaid  retired  ;  and  Mr.  Witherington  took  some 
time  to  compose  himself. 

32 


THE  OLD  MAID 

"  Servants  all  going  to  the  devil  in  this  country,"  said  he 
at  last;  "proud  fools — won't  clean  rooms  after  black  people, 
I  suppose — yes,  that's  it,  confound  them  all,  black  and 
white  !  here's  my  whole  establishment  upset  by  the  arrival 
of  a  baby.  Well,  it  is  very  uncomfortable — what  shall  I  do  ? 
— send  for  sister  Moggy  ? — no,  I'll  send  for  Jonathan." 

Mr.  Witherington  rang  the  bell,  and  Jonathan  made  his 
appearance. 

"  What  is  all  this,  Jonathan  ? "  said  he  ;  "  cook  angry — 
Mary  crying — both  going  away — what's  it  all  about  ?  " 

"  Why,  sir,  they  were  told  by  William  that  it  was  your 
positive  order  that  the  two  black  people  were  to  sleep  with 
them  ;  and  I  believe  he  told  Mary  that  the  man  was  to  sleep 
with  her." 

"  Confound  that  fellow  !  he's  always  at  mischief ;  you  know, 
Jonathan,  I  never  meant  that." 

"  I  thought  not,  sir,  as  it  is  quite  contrary  to  custom," 
replied  Jonathan. 

"Well  then,  tell  them  so,  and  let's  hear  no  more  about  it." 

Mr.  Witherington  then  entered  into  a  consultation  with 
his  butler,  and  acceded  to  the  arrangements  proposed  by 
him.  The  parties  arrived  in  due  time,  and  were  properly 
accommodated.  Master  Edward  was  not  troubled  with  the 
stomach-ache,  neither  did  he  wake  Mr.  Witherington  at  five 
o'clock  in  the  morning ;  and,  after  all,  it  was  not  very 
uncomfortable.  But,  although  things  were  not  quite  so 
uncomfortable  as  Mr.  Witherington  had  anticipated,  still  they 
were  not  comfortable  ;  and  Mr.  Witherington  was  so  annoyed 
by  continual  skirmishes  with  his  servants,  complaints  from 
Judy,  in  bad  English,  of  the  cook,  who,  it  must  be  owned, 
had  taken  a  prejudice  against  her  and  Coco,  occasional  illness 
of  the  child,  et  ccetera,  that  he'"  found  his  house  no  longer 
quiet  and  peaceable.  Three  months  had  now  nearly  passed, 
and  no  tidings  of  the  boats  had  been  received ;  and  Captain 
Maxwell,  who  came  up  to  see  Mr.  Witherington,  gave  it  as 
his  decided  opinion  that  they  must  have  foundered  in  the 
33  c 


THE   PIRATE 

gale.  As,  therefore,  there  appeared  to  be  no  chance  of  Mrs. 
Templemore  coming  to  take  care  of  her  child,  Mr.  Wither- 
ington  at  last  resolved  to  write  to  Bath,  where  his  sister 
resided,  and  acquaint  her  with  the  whole  story,  requesting 
her  to  come  and  superintend  his  domestic  concerns.  A  few 
days  afterwards  he  received  the  following  reply : — 

"BATH,  August. 

"Mv  DEAR  BROTHER  ANTONY, —  Your  letter  arrived  safe  to 
hand  on  Wednesday  last,  and  I  must  say  that  I  was  not  a 
little  surprised  at  its  contents;  indeed,  I  thought  so  much 
about  it  that  I  revoked  at  Lady  Betty  Blabkin's  whist-party, 
and  lost  four  shillings  and  sixpence.  You  say  that  you  have 
a  child  at  your  house  belonging  to  your  cousin,  who  married 
in  so  indecorous  a  manner.  I  hope  what  you  say  is  true; 
but,  at  the  same  time,  I  know  what  bachelors  are  guilty  of; 
although,  as  Lady  Betty  says,  it  is  better  never  to  talk  or 
even  to  hint  about  these  improper  things.  I  cannot  imagine 
why  men  should  consider  themselves,  in  an  unmarried  state, 
as  absolved  from  that  purity  which  maidens  are  so  careful  to 
preserve ;  and  so  says  Lady  Betty,  with  whom  I  had  a  little 
conversation  on  the  subject.  As,  however,  the  thing  is  done, 
she  agrees  with  me  that  it  is  better  to  hush  it  up  as  well 
as  we  can. 

"  I  presume  that  you  do  not  intend  to  make  the  child  your 
heir,  which  I  should  consider  as  highly  improper;  and, 
indeed,  Lady  Betty  tells  me  that  the  legacy-duty  is  ten  per 
cent,  and  that  it  cannot  be  avoided.  However,  I  make  it  a 
rule  never  to  talk  about  these  sort  of  things.  As  for  your 
request  that  I  will  come  up  and  superintend  your  establish- 
ment, I  have  advised  with  Lady  Betty  on  the  subject,  and 
she  agrees  with  me  that,  for.  the  honour  of  the  family,  it  is 
better  that  I  should  come,  as  it  will  save  appearances.  You 
are  in  a  peck  of  troubles,  as  most  men  are  who  are  free-livers, 
and  are  led  astray  by  artful  and  alluring  females.  However, 
as  Lady  Betty  says, '  the  least  said,  the  soonest  mended,' 
34, 


THE  OLD   MAID 

"  I  will,  therefore,  make  the  necessary  arrangements  for 
letting  my  house,  and  hope  to  join  you  in  about  ten  days ; 
sooner,  I  cannot,  as  I  find  that  my  engagements  extend  to 
that  period.  Many  questions  have  already  been  put  to  me 
on  this  unpleasant  subject ;  but  I  always  give  but  one  answer, 
which  is,  that  bachelors  will  be  bachelors  !  and  that,  at  all 
events,  it  is  not  so  bad  as  if  you  were  a  married  man :  for  I 
make  it  a  rule  never  to  talk  about,  or  even  to  hint  about 
these  sort  of  things,  for,  as  Lad}'  Betty  says,  '  Men  will  get 
into  scrapes,  and  the  sooner  things  are  hushed  up  the  better.' 
So  no  more  at  present  from  your  affectionate  sister, 

"  MARGARET  WITHERINGTON. 

"  P.S.  —  Lady  Betty  and  I  both  agree  that  you  are  very 
right  in  hiring  two  black  people  to  bring  the  child  into  your 
house,  as  it  makes  the  thing  look  foreign  to  the  neighbours, 
and  we  can  keep  our  own  secrets.  M.  W." 

"  Now,  by  all  the  sins  of  the  Witheringtons,  if  this  is  not 
enough  to  drive  a  man  out  of  his  senses !  Confound  the 
suspicious  old  maid  !  I'll  not  let  her  come  into  this  house. 
Confound  Lady  Betty,  and  all  scandal-loving  old  tabbies  like 
her  !  Bless  me  !  "  continued  Mr.  Witherington,  throwing  the 
letter  on  the  table,  with  a  deep  sigh,  "  this  is  anything  but 
comfortable." 

But  if  Mr.  Witherington  found  it  anything  but  comfort- 
able at  the  commencement,  he  found  it  unbearable  in  the 
sequel. 

His  sister  Moggy  arrived,  and  installed  herself  in  the  house 
with  all  the  pomp  and  protecting  air  of  one  who  was  the 
saviour  of  her  brother's  reputation  and  character.  When  the 
child  was  first  brought  down  to  her,  instead  of  perceiving  at 
once  its  likeness  to  Mr.  Templemore,  which  was  very  strong, 
she  looked  at  it  and  at  her  brother's  face  with  her  only  eye, 
and  shaking  her  finger,  exclaimed — 

"  Oh,  Antony  !  Antony  !  and  did  you  expect  to  deceive 
35 


THE   PIRATE 

me  ? — the  nose — the  mouth  exact — Antony,  for  shame  !  fie, 
for  shame  ! " 

But  we  must  hurry  over  the  misery  that  Mr.  Withering- 
ton's  kindness  and  benevolence  brought  upon  him.  Not  a 
day  passed — scarcely  an  hour,  without  his  ears  being  galled 
with  his  sister's  insinuations.  Judy  and  Coco  were  sent  back 
to  America ;  the  servants,  who  had  remained  so  long  in  his 
service,  gave  warning  one  by  one,  and,  afterwards,  were 
changed  as  often  almost  as  there  was  a  change  in  the  moon. 
She  ruled  the  house  and  her  brother  despotically  ;  and  all 
poor  Mr.  Witherington's  comfort  was  gone  until  the  time 
arrived  when  Master  Edward  was  to  be  sent  to  school.  Mr. 
Witherington  then  plucked  up  courage,  and  after  a  few 
stormy  months  drove  his  sister  back  to  Bath,  and  once  more 
found  himself  comfortable. 

Edward  came  home  during  the  holidays,  anil  was  a  great 
favourite  ;  but  the  idea  had  become  current  that  he  was  the 
son  of  the  old  gentleman,  and  the  remarks  made  were  so 
unpleasant  and  grating  to  him,  that  he  was  not  sorry,  much 
as  he  was  attached  to  the  boy,  when  he  declared  his  inten- 
tion to  choose  the  profession  of  a  sailor. 

Captain  Maxwell  introduced  him  into  the  service ;  and 
afterwards,  when,  in  consequence  of  ill-health  and  exhaustion, 
he  was  himself  obliged  to  leave  it  for  a  time,  he  procured  for 
his  protege  other  ships.  We  must,  therefore,  allow  some  years 
to  pass  away,  during  which  time  Edward  Templemore  pursues 
his  career,  Mr.  Witherington  grows  older  and  more  particular, 
and  his  sister  Moggy  amuses  herself  with  Lady  Betty's  re- 
marks, and  her  darling  game  of  whist. 

During  all  this  period  no  tidings  of  the  boats,  or  of  Mrs. 
Templemore  and  her  infant,  had  been  heard ;  it  was  there- 
fore naturally  conjectured  that  they  had  all  perished,  and 
they  were  remembered  but  as  things  that  had  been. 


THE   MIDSHIPMAN 
CHAPTER    VI 

THE    MIDSHIPMAN 

JL  HE  weather-side  of  the  quarter-deck  of  H.M.  frigate 
Unicorn  was  occupied  by  two  very  great  personages  :  Captain 
Plumbton,  commanding  the  ship,  who  was  very  great  in  width 
if  not  in  height,  taking  much  more  than  his  allowance  of  the 
deck,  if  it  were  not  that  he  was  the  proprietor  thereof,  and 
entitled  to  the  lion's  share.  Captain  P.  was  not  more  than 
four  feet  ten  inches  in  height;  but  then  he  was  equal  to  that 
in  girth  :  there  was  quite  enough  of  him,  if  he  had  only  been 
rolled  out.  He  walked  with  his  coat  flying  open,  his  thumbs 
stuck  into  the  arm-holes  of  his  waistcoat,  so  as  to  throw  his 
shoulders  back  and  increase  his  horizontal  dimensions.  He 
also  held  his  head  well  aft,  which  threw  his  chest  and  stomach 
well  forward.  He  was  the  prototype  of  pomposity  and  good- 
nature, and  he  strutted  like  an  actor  in  a  procession. 

The  other  personage  was  the  first  lieutenant,  whom  Nature 
had  pleased  to  fashion  in  another  mould.  He  was  as  tall  as 
the  captain  was  short — as  thin  as  his  superior  was  corpulent. 
His  long,  lanky  legs  were  nearly  up  to  the  captain's  shoulders; 
and  he  bowed  down  over  the  head  of  his  superior,  as  if  he 
were  the  crane  to  hoist  up,  and  the  captain  the  bale  of  goods 
to  be  hoisted.  He  carried  his  hands  behind  his  back,  with 
two  fingers  twisted  together  ;  and  his  chief  difficulty  appeared 
to  be  to  reduce  his  own  stride  to  the  parrot  march  of  the 
captain.  His  features  were  sharp  and  lean  as  was  his  body, 
and  wore  every  appearance  of  a  cross-grained  temper. 

He  had  been  making  divers  complaints  of  divers  persons, 
and  the  captain  had  hitherto  appeared  imperturbable.  Cap- 
tain Plumbton  was  an  even-tempered  man,  who  was  satisfied 
with  a  good  dinner.  Lieutenant  Markitall  was  an  odd- 
tempered  man,  who  would  quarrel  with  his  bread  and 
butter. 

37 


THE   PIRATE 

"  Quite  impossible,  sir/'  continued  the  first  lieutenant,  "  to 
carry  on  the  duty  without  support." 

This  oracular  observation,  which,  from  the  relative  forms 
of  the  two  parties,  descended  as  it  were  from  above,  was 
replied  to  by  the  captain  with  a  "  Very  true." 

"Then,  sir,  I  presume  you  will  not  object  to  my  putting 
that  man  in  the  report  for  punishment  ?  " 

"  I'll  think  about  it,  Mr.  Markitall."  This,  with  Captain 
Plumbton,  was  as  much  as  to  say,  No. 

"  The  young  gentlemen,  sir,  I  am  sorry  to  say,  are  very 
troublesome." 

"  Boys  always  are,"  replied  the  captain. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  but  the  duty  must  be  carried  on,  and  I  cannot 
do  without  them." 

"Very  true — midshipmen  are  very  useful." 

"  But  I'm  sorry  to  say,  sir,  that  they  are  not.  Now,  sir, 
there's  Mr.  Templemore ;  I  can  do  nothing  with  him — he 
does  nothing  but  laugh." 

"  Laugh  ! — Mr.  Markitall,  does  he  laugh  at  you  ?  " 

"  Not  exactly,  sir ;  but  he  laughs  at  everything.  If  I  send 
him  to  the  mast-head,  he  goes  up  laughing ;  if  I  call  him 
down,  he  comes  down  laughing ;  if  I  find  fault  with  him,  he 
laughs  the  next  minute :  in  fact,  sir,  he  does  nothing  but 
laugh.  I  should  particularly  wish,  sir,  that  you  would  speak 
to  him,  and  see  if  any  interference  on  your  part " 

"  Would  make  him  cry — eh  ?  better  to  laugh  than  cry  in 
this  world.  Does  he  never  cry,  Mr.  Markitall  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir,  and  very  unseasonably.  The  other  day,  you 
may  recollect,  when  you  punished  Wilson  the  marine,  whom 
I  appointed  to  take  care  of  his  chest  and  hammock,  he  was 
crying  the  whole  time ;  almost  tantamount — at  least  an  in- 
direct species  of  mutiny  on  his  part,  as  it  implied " 

"  That  the  boy  was  sorry  that  his  servant  was  punished ;  I 
never  flog  a  man  but  I'm  sorry  myself,  Mr.  Markitall." 

"  Well,  I  do  not  press  the  question  of  his  crying — that  I 
might  look  over ;  but  his  laughing,  sir,  I  must  beg  that  you 
38 


THE  MIDSHIPMAN 

will  take  notice  of  that.  Here  he  is,  sir,,  coming  up  the  hatch- 
way. Mr.  Templemore,  the  captain  wishes  to  speak  to  you." 

Now,  the  captain  did  not  wish  to  speak  to  him,  but,  forced 
upon  him  as  it  was  by  the  first  lieutenant,  he  could  do  110  less. 
So  Mr.  Templemore  touched  his  hat,  and  stood  before  the 
captain,  we  regret  to  say,  with  such  a  good-humoured,  sly, 
confiding  smirk  on  his  countenance,  as  at  once  established 
the  proof  of  the  accusation,  and  the  enormity  of  the  offence. 

"  So,  sir,"  said  Captain  Plumbton,  stopping  in  his  peram- 
bulation, and  squaring  his  shoulders  still  more,  "  I  find  that 
you  laugh  at  the  first  lieutenant." 

"  I,  sir  ? "  replied  the  boy,  the  smirk  expanding  into  a 
broad  grin. 

"  Yes ;  you,  sir,"  said  the  fii'st  lieutenant,  now  drawing  up 
to  his  full  height ;  "  why,  you're  laughing  now,  sir." 

"  I  can't  help  it,  sir — it's  not  my  fault ;  and  I'm  sure  it's 
not  yours,  sir,"  added  the  boy  demurely. 

"Are  you  aware,  Edward — Mr.  Templemore,  I  mean — of 
the  impropriety  of  disrespect  to  your  superior  officer  ?  " 

"  I  never  laughed  at  Mr.  Markitall  but  once,  sir,  that  I  can 
recollect,  and  that  was  when  he  tumbled  over  the  messenger." 

"  And  why  did  you  laugh  at  him  then,  sir  ?  " 

"  I  always  do  laugh  when  any  one  tumbles  down,"  replied 
the-  lad  ;  "  I  can't  help  it,  sir." 

"  Then,  sir,  I  suppose  you  would  laugh  if  you  saw  me 
rolling  in  the  lee-scuppers  ?  "  said  the  captain. 

"  Oh  ! "  replied  the  boy,  no  longer  able  to  contain  himself, 
'•'  I'm  sure  I  should  burst  myself  with  laughing — I  think  I 
see  you  now,  sir." 

"  Do  you,  indeed  !  I'm  very  glad  that  you  do  not ;  though 
I'm  afraid,  young  gentleman,  you  stand  convicted  by  your 
uwn  confession." 

' '  Yes,  sir,  for  laughing,  if  that  is  any  crime  ;  but  it's  not  in 
the  Articles  of  War." 

"  No,  sir ;  but  disrespect  is.  You  laugh  when  you  go  to 
:  he  mast-head." 


THE  PIRATE 

"  But  I  obey  the  order,  sir,  immediately — do  I  not,  Mr. 
Markitall?" 

"  Yes,  sir,  you  obey  the  order ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  your 
laughing  proves  that  you  do  not  mind  the  punishment." 

"  No  more  I  do,  sir.  I  spend  half  my  time  at  the  mast- 
head, and  I'm  used  to  it  now." 

"  But,  Mr.  Templemore,  ought  you  not  to  feel  the  disgrace 
of  the  punishment  ?  "  inquired  the  captain  severely. 

"Yes,  sir,  if  I  felt  I  deserved  it  I  should.  I  should  not 
laugh,  sir,  if  you  sent  me  to  the  mast-head,"  replied  the  boy, 
assuming  a  serious  countenance. 

"  You  see,  Mr.  Markitall,  that  he  can  be  grave,"  observed 
the  captain. 

"  I've  tried  all  I  can  to  make  him  so,  sir,"  replied  the  first 
lieutenant ;  "  but  I  wish  to  ask  Mr.  Templemore  what  he 
means  to  imply  by  saying,  '  when  he  deserves  it.'  Does  he 
mean  to  say  that  I  have  ever  punished  him  unjustly  ?" 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  the  boy  boldly  ;  "  five  times  out  of  six 
I  am  mast-headed  for  nothing — and  that's  the  reason  why 
I  do  not  mind  it." 

"  For  nothing,  sir  !     Do  you  call  laughing  nothing  ?  " 

t(  I  pay  every  attention  that  I  can  to  my  duty,  sir ;  I 
always  obey  your  orders ;  I  try  all  I  can  to  make  you  pleased 
with  me — but  you  are  always  punishing  me." 

"  Yes,  sir,  for  laughing,  and,  what  is  worse,  making  the 
ship's  company  laugh." 

"They  'haul  and  hold'  just  the  same,  sir — I  think  they 
work  all  the  better  for  being  merry." 

"  And  pray,  sir,  what  business  have  you  to  think  ?  "  replied 
the  first  lieutenant,  now  very  angry.  "Captain  Plumbton, 
as  this  young  gentleman  thinks  proper  to  interfere  with  me 
and  the  discipline  of  the  ship,  I  beg  you  will  see  what  effect 
your  punishing  may  have  upon  him." 

"Mr.  Templemore,"  said  the  captain,  "you  are,  in  the 
first  place,  too  free  in  your  speech,  and,  in  the  next  place, 
too  fond  of  laughing.  There  is,  Mr.  Templemore,  a  time  for 
40 


THE   MIDSHIPMAN 

all   things — a  time  to  be  merry,  and  a  time  to  be  serious. 
The  quarter-deck  is  not  the  fit  place  for  mirth." 

"I'm  sure  the  gangway  is  not,"  shrewdly  interrupted 
the  boy. 

"  No — you  are  right,  nor  the  gangway  ;  but  you  may  laugh 
on  the  forecastle,  and  when  below  with  your  messmates." 

"  No,  sir,  we  may  not ;  Mr.  Markitall  always  sends  out  if 
he  hears  us  laughing." 

"  Because,  Mr.  Templemore,  you're  always  laughing." 

"  I  believe  I  am,  sir ;  and  if  it's  wrong  I'm  sorry  to  dis- 
please you,  but  I  mean  no  disrespect.  I  laugh  in  my  sleep 
— I  laugh  when  I  awake — I  laugh  when  the  sun  shines — I 
always  feel  so  happy ;  but  though  you  do  mast-head  me, 
Mr.  Markitall,  I  should  not  laugh,  but  be  very  sorry,  if  any 
misfortune  happened  to  you." 

"  I  believe  you  would,  boy — I  do  indeed,  Mr.  Markitall," 
said  the  captain. 

'•  s\  ell,  sir,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant,  "as  Mr.  Temple- 
more  appears  to  be  aware  of  his  error,  I  do  not  wish  to  press 
my  complaint — I  have  only  to  request  that  he  will  never 
laugh  again." 

"  You  hear,  boy,  what  the  first  lieutenant  says ;  it's  very 
reasonable,  and  I  beg  I  may  hear  no  more  complaints.  Mr. 
Markitall,  let  me  know  when  the  foot  of  that  foretopsail 
will  be  repaired — I  should  like  to  shift  it  to-night." 

Mr.  Markitall  went  down  under  the  half-deck  to  make 
the  inquiry. 

"And,  Edward,"  said  Captain  Plumbton,  as  soon  as  the 
lieutenant  was  out  of  ear-shot,  "  I  have  a  good  deal  more  to 
say  to  you  upon  this  subject,  but  I  have  no  time  now.  So 
come  and  dine  with  me — at  my  table,  you  know,  I  allow 
laughing  in  moderation." 

The  boy  touched  his  hat,  and  with  a  grateful,  happy 
countenance,  walked  away. 

We  have  introduced  this  little  scene,  that  the  reader  may 
form  some  idea  of  the  character  of  Edward  Templemore 
41 


THE   PIRATE 

He  was  indeed  the  soul  of  mirth,  good-humour,  and  kindly 
feelings  towards  others  ;  he  even  felt  kindly  towards  the  first 
lieutenant,  who  persecuted  him  for  his  risible  propensities. 
We  do  not  say  that  the  boy  was  right  in  laughing  at  all 
times,  or  that  the  first  lieutenant  was  wrong  in  attempting 
to  check  it.  As  the  captain  said,  there  is  a  time  for  all 
things,  and  Edward's  laugh  was  not  always  seasonable;  but 
it  was  his  nature,  and  he  could  not  help  it.  He  was  joyous 
as  the  May  morning ;  and  thus  he  continued  for  years, 
laughing  at  everything — pleased  with  everybody — almost 
universally  liked — and  his  bold,  free,  and  happy  spirit  un- 
checked by  vicissitude  or  hardship. 

He  served  his  time — was  nearly  turned  back  when  he  was 
passing  his  examination  for  laughing,  and  then  went  laughing 
to  sea  again — was  in  command  of  a  boat  at  the  cutting-out  of 
a  French  corvette,  and  when  on  board  was  so  much  amused 
by  the  little  French  captain  skipping  about  with  his  rapier, 
which  proved  fatal  to  many,  that  at  last  he  received  a  pink 
from  the  little  gentleman  himself,  which  laid  him  on  deck. 
For  this  affair,  and  in  consideration  of  his  wound,  he  obtained 
his  promotion  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant — was  appointed  to 
a  line-of-battle  ship  in  the  West  Indies — laughed  at  the 
yellow  fever — was  appointed  to  the  tender  of  that  ship,  a 
fine  schooner,  and  was  sent  to  cruise  for  prize-money  for 
the  admiral,  and  promotion  for  himself,  if  he  could,  by  any 
fortunate  encounter,  be  so  lucky  as  to  obtain  it 


CHAPTER  VII 

SLEEPER'S  BAY 

the  western  coast  of  Africa  there  is  a  small  bay,  which 
has  received  more  than  one  name  from  its  occasional  visitors. 
That  by  which  it  was  designated  by  the  adventurous  Portu- 
guese, who  first  dared  to  cleave  the  waves  of  the  Southern 

42 


SLEEPER'S  BAY 

Atlantic,  has  been  forgotten  with  their  lost  maritime  pre- 
eminence ;  the  name  allotted  to  it  by  the  woolly-headed 
natives  of  the  coast  has  never,  perhaps,  been  ascertained ;  it 
is,  however,  marked  down  in  some  of  the  old  English  charts 
as  Sleeper's  Bay. 

The  mainland  which,  by  its  curvature,  has  formed  this 
little  dent,  on  a  coast  possessing,  and  certainly  at  present 
requiring  few  harbours,  displays,  perhaps,  the  least  inviting 
of  all  prospects  ;  offering  to  the  view  nothing  but  a  shelving 
beach  of  dazzling  white  sand,  backed  with  a  few  small 
hummocks  beat  up  by  the  occasional  fury  of  the  Atlantic 
gales — arid,  bare,  and  without  the  slightest  appearance  of 
vegetable  life.  The  inland  prospect  is  shrouded  over  by 
a  dense  mirage,  through  which  here  and  there  are  to  be  dis- 
covered the  stems  of  a  few  distant  palm-trees,  so  broken  and 
disjoined  by  refraction  that  they  present  to  the  imagination 
anything  but  the  idea  of  foliage  or  shade.  The  water  in  the 
bay  is  calm  and  smooth  as  the  polished  mirror ;  not  the 
smallest  ripple  is  to  be  heard  on  the  beach,  to  break  through 
the  silence  of  nature  ;  not  a  breath  of  air  sweeps  over  its 
glassy  surface,  which  is  heated  with  the  intense  rays  of  a 
vertical  noonday  sun,  pouring  down  a  withering  flood  of  light 
and  heat ;  not  a  sea-bird  is  to  be  discovered  wheeling  on  its 
flight,  or  balancing  on  its  wings  as  it  pierces  the  deep  with 
its  searching  eye,  ready  to  dart  upon  its  prey.  All  is  silence, 
solitude,  and  desolation,  save  that  occasionally  may  be  seen 
the  fin  of  some  huge  shark,  either  sluggishly  moving  through 
the  heated  element,  or  stationary  in  the  torpor  of  the  mid- 
day heat.  A  sight  so  sterile,  so  stagnant,  so  little  adapted  to 
human  life,  cannot  well  be  conceived,  unless,  by  flying  to 
extremes,  we  were  to  portray  the  chilling  blast,  the  trans- 
fixing cold,  and  "  close-ribbed  ice  "  at  the  frozen  poles. 

At  the  entrance  of  this  bay,  in  about  three  fathoms  water, 

heedless  of  the   spring  cable  which   hung  down  as  a  rope 

which  had  fallen  overboard,  there  floated,  motionless  as  death, 

a  vessel  whose  proportions  would  have  challenged  the  unani- 

43 


THE   PIRATE 

mous  admiration  of  those  who  could  appreciate  the  merits  of 
her  build,  had  she  been  anchored  in  the  most  frequented  and 
busy  harbour  of  the  universe.  So  beautiful  were  her  lines, 
that  you  might  almost  have  imagined  her  a  created  being 
that  the  ocean  had  been  ordered  to  receive,  as  if  fashioned 
by  the  Divine  Architect,  to  add  to  the  beauty  and  variety  of 
His  works ;  for,  from  the  huge  leviathan  to  the  smallest  of 
the  finny  tribe — from  the  towering  albatross  to  the  boding 
petrel  of  the  storm  —  where  could  be  found,  among  the 
winged  or  finned  frequenters  of  the  ocean,  a  form  more 
appropriate,  more  fitting,  than  this  specimen  of  human  skill, 
whose  beautiful  model  and  elegant  tapering  spars  were  now 
all  that  could  be  discovered  to  break  the  meeting  lines  of 
the  firmament  and  horizon  of  the  offing. 

Alas  !  she  was  fashioned,  at  the  will  of  avarice,  for  the  aid 
of  cruelty  and  injustice,  and  now  was  even  more  nefariously 
employed.  She  had  been  a  slaver — she  was  now  the  far- 
famed,  still  more  dreaded,  pirate  schooner,  the  Avenger. 

Not  a  man-of-war  which  scoured  the  deep  but  had  her 
instructions  relative  to  this  vessel,  which  had  been  so  success- 
ful in  her  career  of  crime — not  a  trader  in  any  portion  of  the 
navigable  globe  but  whose  crew  shuddered  at  the  mention  of 
her  name,  and  the  remembrance  of  the  atrocities  which  had 
been  practised  by  her  reckless  crew.  She  had  been  every- 
where— in  the  east,  the  west,  the  north,  and  the  south, 
leaving  a  track  behind  her  of  rapine  and  of  murder.  There 
she  lay  in  motionless  beauty,  her  low  sides  were  painted 
black,  with  one  small,  narrow  riband  of  red — her  raking 
masts  were  clean  scraped — her  topmasts,  her  cross-trees, 
caps,  and  even  running-blocks,  were  painted  in  pure  white. 
Awnings  were  spread  fore  and  aft  to  protect  the  crew  from 
the  powerful  rays  of  the  sun ;  her  ropes  were  hauled  taut ; 
and  in  every  point  she  wore  the  appearance  of  being  under 
the  control  of  seamanship  and  strict  discipline.  Through  the 
clear  smooth  water  her  copper  shone  brightly ;  and  as  you 
looked  over  her  taffrail  down  into  the  calm  blue  sea,  you 
44 


SLEEPER'S  BAY 

could  plainly  discover  the  sandy  bottom  beneath  her,  and  the 
anchor  which  then  lay  under  her  counter.  A  small  boat 
floated  astern,  the  weight  of  the  rope  which  attached  her 
appearing,  in  the  perfect  calm,  to  draw  her  towards  the 
schooner. 

We  must  now  go  on  board,  and  our  first  cause  of  surprise 
will  be  the  deception  relative  to  the  tonnage  of  the  schooner, 
when  viewed  from  a  distance.  Instead  of  a  small  vessel  of 
about  ninety  tons,  we  discover  that  she  is  upwards  of  two 
hundred  ;  that  her  breadth  of  beam  is  enormous  ;  and  th;;t 
those  spars,  which  appeared  so  light  and  elegant,  are  of 
unexpected  dimensions.  Her  decks  are  of  narrow  fir  planks, 
without  the  least  spring  or  rise  ;  her  ropes  are  of  Manilla 
hemp,  neatly  secured  to  copper  belay  ing-pins,  and  coiled 
down  on  the  deck,  whose  whiteness  is  well  contrasted  with 
the  bright  green  paint  of  her  bulwarks :  her  capstern  and 
binnacles  are  cased  in  fluted  mahogany,  and  ornamented 
with  brass ;  metal  stanchions  protect  the  skylights,  and  the 
bright  muskets  are  arranged  in  front  of  the  mainmast,  while 
the  boarding-pikes  are  lashed  round  the  mainboom. 

In  the  centre  of  the  vessel,  between  the  fore  and  main 
masts,  there  is  a  long  brass  32-pounder  fixed  upon  a  carriage 
revolving  in  a  circle,  and  so  arranged  that  in  bad  weather  it 
can  be  lowered  down  and  housed;  while  on  each  side  of  her 
decks  are  mounted  eight  brass  guns  of  smaller  calibre  and 
of  exquisite  workmanship.  Her  build  proves  the  skill  of 
the  architect;  her  fitting-out,  a  judgment  in  which  nought 
has  been  sacrificed  to,  although  everything  has  been  directed 
by,  taste ;  and  her  neatness  and  arrangement,  that,  in  the 
person  of  her  commander,  to  the  strictest  discipline  there  is 
united  the  practical  knowledge  of  a  thorough  seaman.  How, 
indeed,  otherwise  could  she  have  so  long  continued  her 
lawless  yet  successful  career?  How  could  it  have  been 
possible  to  unite  a  crew  of  miscreants,  who  feared  not  God 
nor  man,  most  of  whom  had  perpetrated  foul  murders,  or  had 
been  guilty  of  even  blacker  iniquities  ?  It  was  because  he 


THE  PIRATE 

who  commanded  the  vessel  was  so  superior  as  to  find  in  her 
no  rivalry.  Superior  in  talent,  in  knowledge  of  his  profes- 
sion, in  courage,  and,  moreover,  in  physical  strength — which 
in  him  was  almost  herculean — unfortunately  he  was  also 
superior  to  all  in  villainy,  in  cruelty,  and  contempt  of  all 
injunctions,  moral  and  Divine. 

What  had  been  the '  early  life  of  this  person  was  but  im- 
perfectly known.  It  was  undoubted  that  he  had  received  an 
excellent  education,  arid  it  was  said  that  he  was  of  an  ancient 
border  family  on  the  banks  of  the  Tweed :  by  what  chances 
he  had  become  a  pirate — by  what  errors  he  had  fallen  from 
his  station  in  society,  until  he  became  an  outcast,  had  never 
been  revealed  ;  it  was  only  known  that  he  had  been  some 
years  employed  in  the  slave-trade  previous  to  his  seizing  this 
vessel  and  commencing  his  reckless  career.  The  name  by 
which  he  was  known  to  the  crew  of  the  pirate  vessel  was 
"  Cain,"  and  well  had  he  chosen  this  appellation ;  for,  had 
not  his  hand  for  more  than  three  years  been  against  every 
man's,  and  every  man's  hand  against  his  ?  In  person  he  was 
about  six  feet  high,  with  a  breadth  of  shoulders  and  of  chest 
denoting  the  utmost  of  physical  force  which,  perhaps,  has 
ever  been  allotted  to  man.  His  features  would  have  been 
handsome  had  they  not  been  scarred  with  wounds ;  and, 
strange  to  say,  his  eye  was  mild  and  of  a  soft  blue.  His 
mouth  was  well  formed,  and  his  teeth  of  a  pearly  white ;  the 
hair  of  his  head  was  crisp  and  wavy,  and  his  beard,  which  he 
wore,  as  did  every  person  composing  the  crew  of  the  pirate, 
covered  the  lower  part  of  his  face  in  strong,  waving,  and 
continued  curls.  The  proportions  of  his  body  were  perfect ; 
but  from  their  vastness  they  became  almost  terrific.  His 
costume  was  elegant,  and  well  adapted  to  his  form;  linen 
trousers,  and  untanned  yellow  leather  boots,  such  as  are 
made  at  the  Western  Isles ;  a  broad-striped  cotton  shirt ;  a 
red  Cashmere  shawl  round  his  waist  as  a  sash  ;  a  vest  em- 
broidered in  gold  tissue,  with  a  jacket  of  dark  velvet,  and 
pendent  gold  buttons,  hanging  over  his  left  shoulder,  after 
46 


SLEEPER'S   BAY 

the  fashion  of  the  Mediterranean  seamen ;  a  round  Turkish 
skull-cap,  handsomely  embroidered,  a  pair  of  pistols,  and  a 
long  knife  in  his  sash,  completed  his  attire. 

The  crew  consisted  in  all  of  165  men,  of  almost  every 
nation  ;  but  it  was  to  be  remarked  that  all  those  in  authority 
were  either  Englishmen  or  from  the  northern  countries  ;  the 
others  were  chiefly  Spaniards  and  Maltese.  Still  there  were 
Portuguese,  Brazilians,  negroes,  and  othei's,  who  made  up  the 
complement,  which  at  the  time  we  now  speak  of  was  increased 
by  twenty-five  additional  hands.  These  were  Kroumen,  a 
race  of  blacks  well  knoAvn  at  present,  who  inhabit  the  coast 
near  Cape  Palmas,  and  are  often  employed  by  our  men-of-war 
stationed  on  the  coast  to  relieve  the  English  seamen  from 
duties  which  would  be  too  severe  to  those  who  were  not 
inured  to  the  climate.  They  are  powerful,  athletic  men, 
good  sailors,  of  a  happy,  merry  disposition,  and,  unlike  other 
Africans,  will  work  hard.  Fond  of  the  English,  they  generally 
speak  the  language  sufficiently  to  be  understood,  and  are  very 
glad  to  receive  a  baptism  when  they  come  on  board.  The 
name  first  given  them  they  usually  adhere  to  as  long  as  they 
live ;  and  you  will  now  on  the  coast  meet  with  a  Blucher, 
a  Wellington,  a  Nelson,  &c.,  who  will  wring  swabs,  or  do 
any  other  of  the  meanest  description  of  work,  without  feeling 
that  it  is  discreditable  to  sponsorials  so  grand. 

It  is  not  to  be  supposed  that  these  men  had  voluntarily 
come  on  board  of  the  pirate ;  they  had  been  employed  in 
some  British  vessels  trading  on  the  coast,  and  had  been  taken 
out  of  them  when  the  vessels  were  burnt,  and  the  Europeans 
of  the  crews  murdered.  They  had  received  a  promise  of 
reward,  if  they  did  their  duty ;  but,  not  expecting  it,  they 
waited  for  the  earliest  opportunity  to  make  their  escape. 

The  captain  of  the  schooner  is  abaft  with  his  glass  in  his 
hand,  occasionally  sweeping  the  offing  in  expectation  of  a 
vessel  heaving  in  sight ;  the  officers  and  crew  are  lying  down, 
or  lounging  listlessly  about  the  decks,  panting  with  the 
extreme  heat,  arid  impatiently  waiting  for  the  sea-breeze  to 
47 


THE  PIRATE 

fan  their  parched  foreheads.  With  their  rough  beards  and 
exposed  chests,  and  their  weather-beaten  fierce  countenances, 
they  form  a  group  which  is  terrible  even  in  repose. 

We  must  now  descend  into  the  cabin  of  the  schooner. 
The  fittings-up  of  this  apartment  are  simple :  on  each  side  is 
a  standing  bed-place  ;  against  the  after  bulkhead  is  a  large 
buffet,  originally  intended  for  glass  and  china,  but  now  loaded 
with  silver  and  gold  vessels  of  every  size  and  description, 
collected  by  the  pirate  from  the  different  ships  which  he  had 
plundered  ;  the  lamps  are  also  of  silver,  and  evidently  had 
been  intended  to  ornament  the  shrine  of  some  Catholic  saint. 

In  this  cabin  there  are  two  individuals,  to  whom  we  shall 
now  direct  the  reader's  attention.  The  one  is  a  pleasant- 
countenanced,  good-humoured  Krouman,  who  had  been 
christened  "  Pompey  the  Great  "  ;  most  probably  on  account 
of  his  large  proportions.  He  wears  a  pair  of  duck  trousers; 
the  rest  of  his  body  is  naked,  and  presents  a  sleek,  glossy 
skin,  covering  muscles  which  an  anatomist  or  a  sculptor  would 
have  viewed  with  admiration.  The  other  is  a  youth  of 
eighteen,  or  thereabouts,  with  an  intelligent,  handsome  coun- 
tenance, evidently  of  European  blood.  There  is,  however, 
an  habitually  mournful  cast  upon  his  features ;  he  is  dressed 
much  in  the  same  way  as  we  have  described  the  captain,  but 
the  costume  hangs  more  gracefully  upon  his  slender,  yet 
well-formed  limbs.  He  is  seated  on  a  sofa,  fixed  in  the  fore 
part  of  the  cabin,  with  a  book  in  his  hand,  which  occasionally 
he  refers  to,  and  then  lifts  his  eyes  from,  to  watch  the 
motions  of  the  Krouman,  who  is  busy  in  the  office  of  steward, 
arranging  and  cleaning  the  costly  articles  in  the  buffet. 

"  Massa  Francisco,  dis  really  fine  ting,"  said  Pompey,  hold- 
ing up  a  splendidly  embossed  tankard,  which  he  had  been 
rubbing. 

"Yes,"  replied  Francisco  gravely  ;  "it  is  indeed,  Pompey." 

"  How  Captain  Cain  come  by  dis  ?  " 

Francisco  shook  his  head,  and  Pompey  put  his  finger  up  to 
his  mouth,  his  eyes,  full  of  meaning,  fixed  upon  Francisco. 
48 


SLEEPER'S   BAY 

At  this  moment  the  personage  referred  to  was  heard 
descending  the  companion-ladder.  Pompey  recommenced 
rubbing  the  silver,  and  Francisco  dropped  his  eyes  upon  the 
book. 

What  was  the  tie  which  appeared  to  bind  the  captain  to 
this  lad  was  not  known ;  but,  as  the  latter  had  always  ac- 
companied, and  lived  together  with  him,  it  was  generally 
supposed  that  he  was  the  captain's  son ;  and  he  was  as  often 
designated  by  the  crew  as  young  Cain  as  he  was  by  his 
Christian  name  of  Francisco.  Still  it  was  observed  that 
latterly  they  had  frequently  been  heard  in  altercation, 
and  that  the  captain  was  very  suspicious  of  Francisco's 
movements. 

"  I  beg  I  may  not  interrupt  your  conversation,"  said  Cain, 
on  entering  the  cabin ;  "  the  information  you  may  obtain 
from  a  Krouman  must  be  very  important." 

Francisco  made  no  reply,  but  appeared  to  be  reading  his 
book.  Cain's  eyes  passed  from  one  to  the  other,  as  if  to  read 
their  thoughts. 

"  Pray  what  were  you  saying,  Mr.  Pompey  ?  " 

"  Me  say,  Massa  Captain  ?  me  only  tell  young  M  ssa  dis 
very  fine  ting ;  ask  where  you  get  him — Massa  Francisco  no 
tell." 

"  And  what  might  it  be  to  you,  you  black  scoundrel  ? " 
cried  the  captain,  seizing  the  goblet,  and  striking  the  man 
with  it  a  blow  on  the  head  which  flattened  the  vessel,  and 
at  the  same  time  felled  the  Krouman,  powerful  as  he  was, 
to  the  deck.  The  blood  streamed,  as  the  man  slowly  rose, 
stupefied  and  trembling  from  the  violent  concussion.  With- 
out saying  a  word,  he  staggered  out  of  the  cabin,  and  Cain 
threw  himself  on  one  of  the  lockers  in  front  of  the  standing 
bed-place,  saying,  with  a  bitter  smile,  "  So  much  for  your 
intimates,  Francisco  ! " 

"Rather,  so  much  for  your  cruelty  and  injustice  towards 
an  unoffending  man,"  replied  Francisco,  laying  his  book  on 
the  table.  "  His  question  was  an  innocent  one — for  he 
49  D 


THE   PIRATE 

knew  not  the  particulars  connected  with  the  obtaining  of 
that  flagon." 

"  And  you,  I  presume,  do  not  forget  them  ?  Well,  be  it 
so,  young  man ;  but  I  warn  you  again — as  I  have  warned  you 
often — nothing  but  the  remembrance  of  your  mother  has 
prevented  me,  long  before  this,  from  throwing  your  body 
to  the  sharks." 

"  What  influence  my  mother's  memory  may  have  over  you, 
I  know  not ;  I  only  regret  that,  in  any  way,  she  had  the 
misfortune  to  be  connected  with  you." 

"She  had  the  influence,"  replied  Cain,  "which  a  woman 
must  have  over  a  man  when  they  have  for  years  swung  in 
the  same  cot ;  but  that  is  wearing  off  fast.  I  tell  you  so 
candidly ;  I  will  not  even  allow  her  memory  to  check  me, 
if  I  find  you  continue  your  late  course.  You  have  shown 
disaffection  before  the  crew — you  have  disputed  my  orders — 
and  I  have  every  reason  to  believe  that  you  are  now  plotting 
against  me." 

"Can  I  do  otherwise  than  show  my  abhorrence,"  replied 
Francisco,  "when  I  witness  such  acts  of  horror,  of  cruelty  — 
cold-blooded  cruelty,  as  lately  have  been  perpetrated  ?  Why 
do  you  bring  me  here  ?  and  why  do  you  now  detain  me  ?  All 
I  ask  is,  that  you  will  allow  me  to  leave  the  vessel.  You  are 
not  my  father ;  you  have  told  me  so." 

"  No,  I  am  not  your  father ;  but — you  are  your  mother's 
son." 

"  That  gives  you  no  right  to  have  power  over  me,  even  if 
you  had  been  married  to  my  mother;  which " 

"  I  was  not." 

"  I  thank  God  ;  for  marriage  with  you  would  have  been 
even  greater  disgrace." 

"  What ! "  cried  Cain,  starting  up,  seizing  the  young  man 
by  the  neck,  and  lifting  him  off  his  seat  as  if  he  had  been  a 
puppej ;  "but  no — I  cannot  forget  your  mother."  Cain  re- 
leased Francisco,  and  resumed  his  seat  on  the  locker. 

"As  you  please,"  said  Francisco,  as  soon  as  he  had  re- 
50 


SLEEPER'S   BAY 

covered  himself;  "it  matters  little  whether  I  am  brained  by 
your  own  hand,  or  launched  overboard  as  a  meal  for  the 
sharks  ;  it  will  be  but  one  more  murder." 

"  Mad  fool !  why  do  you  tempt  me  thus  ? "  replied  Cain, 
.again  starting  up,  and  hastily  quitting  the  cabin. 

The  altercation  which  we  have  just  described  was  not 
unheard  on  deck,  as  the  doors  of  the  cabin  were  open,  and 
the  skylight  removed  to  admit  the  air.  The  face  of  Cain 
was  flushed  as  he  ascended  the  ladder.  He  perceived  his 
chief  mate  standing  by  the  hatchway,  and  many  of  the  men, 
who  had  been  slumbering  abaft,  with  their  heads  raised  on 
their  elbows,  as  if  they  had  been  listening  to  the  conversation 
below. 

"  It  will  never  do,  sir,"  said  Hawkhurst,  the  mate,  shaking 
his  head. 

"  No,"  replied  the  captain  ;  "  not  if  he  were  my  own  son. 
But  what  is  to  be  done  ? — he  knows  no  fear." 

Hawkhurst  pointed  to  the  entering  port. 

"  When  I  ask  your  advice,  you  may  give  it,"  said  the 
captain,  turning  gloomily  away. 

In  the  meantime,  Francisco  paced  the  cabin  in  deep 
thought.  Young  as  he  was,  he  was  indifferent  to  death ;  for 
he  had  no  tie  to  render  life  precious.  He  remembered  his 
mother,  but  not  her  demise ;  that  had  been  concealed  from 
him.  At  the  age  of  seven  he  had  sailed  with  Cain  in  a 
slaver,  and  had  ever  since  continued  with  him.  Until  lately, 
he  had  been  led  to  suppose  that  the  captain  was  his  father. 
During  the  years  that  he  had  been  in  the  slave-trade,  Cain 
had  devoted  much  time  to  his  education ;  it  so  happened 
that  the  only  book  which  could  be  found  on  board  of  the 
vessel,  when  Cain  first  commenced  teaching,  was  a  Bible 
belonging  to  Francisco's  mother.  Out  of  this  book  he  learned 
to  read ;  and,  as  his  education  advanced,  other  books  were 
procured.  It  may  appear  strange  that  the  very  traffic  in 
which  his  reputed  father  was  engaged  did  not  corrupt  the 
bov's  mind  ;  but,  accustomed  to  it  from  his  infancy,  he  had 


THE   PIRATE 

considered  these  negroes  as  another  species — an  idea  fully 
warranted  by  the  cruelty  of  the  Europeans  towards  them. 

There  are  some  dispositions  so  naturally  kind  and  in- 
genuous that  even  example  and  evil  contact  cannot  debase 
them  :  such  was  the  disposition  of  Francisco.  As  he  gained  . 
in  years  and  knowledge,  he  thought  more  and  more  for  him- 
self, and  had  already  become  disgusted  with  the  cruelties 
practised  upon  the  unfortunate  negroes,  when  the  slave- 
vessel  was  seized  upon  by  Cain  and  converted  into  a  pirate. 
At  first,  the  enormities  committed  had  not  been  so  great ; 
vessels  had  been  seized  and  plundered,  but  life  had  been 
spared.  In  the  course  of  crime,  however,  the  descent  is  rapid  : 
and  as,  from  information  given  by  those  who  had  been  released, 
the  schooner  was  more  than  once  in  danger  of  being  captured, 
latterly  no  lives  had  been  spared  ;  and  but  too  often  the 
murders  had  been  attended  with  deeds  even  more  atrocious. 

Francisco  had  witnessed  scenes  of  horror  until  his  young 
blood  curdled :  he  had  expostulated  to  save,  but  in  vain. 
Disgusted  with  the  captain  and  the  crew,  and  their  deeds  of 
cruelty,  he  had  latterly  expressed  his  opinions  fearlessly,  and 
defied  the  captain  ;  for,  in  the  heat  of  an  altercation,  Cain 
had  acknowledged  that  Francisco  was  not  his  son. 

Had  any  of  the  crew  or  officers  expressed  but  a  tithe  of 
what  had  fallen  from  the  bold  lips  of  Francisco,  they  would 
have  long  before  paid  the  forfeit  of  their  temerity ;  but 
there  was  a  feeling  towards  Francisco  which  could  not  be 
stifled  in  the  breast  of  Cain — it  was  the  feeling  of  association 
and  habit.  The  boy  had  been  his  companion  for  years ;  and 
from  assuetude  had  become,  as  it  were,  a  part  of  himself. 
There  is  a  principle  in  our  nature  which,  even  when  that 
nature  is  most  debased,  will  never  leave  us — that  of  requiring 
something  to  love,  something  to  protect  and  watch  over :  it 
is  shown  towards  a  dog,  or  any  other  animal,  if  it  cannot  be 
lavished  upon  one  of  our  own  species.  Such  was.  the  feeling 
which  so  forcibly  held  Cain  towards  Francisco ;  such  was  the 
feeling  which  had  hitherto  saved  his  life. 
52 


THE  ATTACK 

After  having  paced  up  and  down  for  some  time,  the  youth 
took  his  seat  on  the  locker  which  the  captain  had  quitted  : 
his  eye  soon  caught  the  head  of  Pompey,  who  looked  into  the 
cabin  and  beckoned  with  his  finger. 

Francisco  rose,  and,  taking  up  a  flagon  from  the  buffet 
which  contained  some  spirits,  walked  to  the  door,  and,  with- 
out saying  a  word,  handed  it  to  the  Krouman. 

"  Massa  Francisco,"  whispered  Pompey,  "  Pompey  say — all 
Kroumen  say — suppose  they  nm  away,  you  go  too  ?  Pompey 
say — all  Kroumen  say — suppose  they  try  to  kill  you  ?  Xebber 
kill  you  while  one  Krouman  alive." 

The  negro  then  gently  pushed  Francisco  back  with  his 
hand,  as  if  not  wishing  to  hear  his  answer,  and  hastened  for- 
ward on  the  berth  deck. 


CHAPTER  VIII 

THE    ATTACK 

IN  the  meantime,  the  sea-breeze  had  risen  in  the  offing,  and 
was  sweeping  along  the  surface  to  where  the  schooner  was 
at  anchor.  The  captain  ordered  a  man  to  the  cross-trees, 
directing  him  to  keep  a  good  look-out,  while  he  walked  the 
deck  in  company  with  his  first  mate. 

"She  may  not  have  sailed  until  a  day  or  two  later,"  said 
the  captain,  continuing  the  conversation ;  "  I  have  made 
allowance  for  that,  and  depend  upon  it,  as  she  makes  the 
eastern  passage,  we  must  soon  fall  in  with  her ;  if  she  does 
not  heave  in  sight  this  evening  by  daylight,  I  shall  stretch 
out  in  the  offing ;  I  know  the  Portuguese  well.  The  sea- 
breeze  has  caught  our  craft ;  let  them  run  up  the  inner  jib, 
and  see  that  she  does  not  foul  her  anchor." 

It  was  now  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  dinner  had  been 
sent  into  the  cabin ;  the  captain  descended,  and  took  his 
seat  at  the  table  with  Francisco,  who  ate  in  silence.  Once 
53 


THE  PIRATE 

or  twice  the  captain,  whose  wrath  had  subsided,  and  whose 
kindly  feelings  towards  Francisco,  checked  for  a  time,  had 
returned  with  greater  force,  tried,  but  in  vain,  to  rally  him 
into  conversation,  when  "  Sail  ho ! "  was  shouted  from  the 
mast-head. 

"There  she  is,  by  G — d!"  cried  the  captain,  jumping 
from,  and  then,  as  if  checking  himself,  immediately  resuming, 
his  seat. 

Francisco  put  his  hand 'to  his  forehead,  covering  his  eyes 
as  his  elbow  leant  upon  the  table. 

"  A  large  ship,  sir ;  we  can  see  down  to  the  second  reef 
of  her  topsails,"  said  Hawkhurst,  looking  down  the  skylight. 

The  captain  hastily  swallowed  some  wine  from  a  flagon, 
cast  a  look  of  scorn  and  anger  upon  Francisco,  and  rushed 
on  deck. 

"  Be  smart,  lads  ! "  cried  the  captain,  after  a  few  seconds' 
survey  of  the  vessel  through  his  glass ;  "  that's  her :  furl 
the  awnings,  and  run  the  anchor  up  to  the  bows :  there's 
more  silver  in  that  vessel,  my  lads,  than  your  chests  will 
hold ;  and  the  good  saints  of  the  churches  at  Goa  will  have 
to  wait  a  little  longer  for  their  gold  candlesticks." 

The  crew  were  immediately  on  the  alert ;  the  awnings 
were  furled,  and  all  the  men,  stretching  aft  the  spring  cable, 
walked  the  anchor  up  to  the  bows.  In  two  minutes  more 
the  Avenger  was  standing  out  on  the  starboard  tack,  shaping 
her  course  so  as  to  cut  off  the  ill-fated  vessel.  The  breeze 
freshened,  and  the  schooner  darted  through  the  smooth 
water  with  the  impetuosity  of  a  dolphin  after  its  prey.  In 
an  hour  the  hull  of  the  ship  was  plainly  to  be  distinguished ; 
but  the  sun  was  near  to  the  horizon,  and  before  they  could 
ascertain  what  their  force  might  be,  daylight  had  disappeared. 
Whether  the  schooner  had  been  perceived  or  not,  it  was 
impossible  to  say ;  at  all  events,  the  cou'rse  of  the  ship  had 
not  been  altered,  and  if  she  had  seen  the  schooner,  she 
evidently  treated  her  with  contempt.  On  board  the  Avenger, 
they  were  not  idle  ;  the  long  gun  in  the  centre  had  been 
M 


THE  ATTACK 

cleared  from  the  incumbrances  which  surrounded  it,  the 
other  guns  had  been  cast  loose,  shot  handed  up.  and  every- 
thing prepared  for  action,  with  all  the  energy  and  discipline 
of  a  man-of-war.  The  chase  had  not  been  lost  sight  of,  and 
the  eyes  of  the  pirate  captain  were  fixed  upon  her  through 
a  night-glass.  In  about  an  hour  more  the  schooner  was 
within  a  mile  of  the  ship,  and  now  altered  her  course  so 
as  to  range  up  within  a  cable's  length  of  her  to  leeward. 
Cain  stood  upon  the  gunwale  and  hailed.  The  answer  was 
in  Portuguese. 

"  Heave  to,  or  I'll  sink  you  ! "  replied  he  in  the  same 
language. 

A  general  discharge  from  a  broadside  of  carronades,  and 
a  heavy  volley  of  muskets  from  the  Portuguese,  was  the 
decided  answer.  The  broadside,  too  much  elevated  to  hit 
the  low  hull  of  the  schooner,  was  still  not  without  effect — 
the  foretopmast  fell,  the  jaws  of  the  main-gaff  were  severed, 
and  a  large  proportion  of  the  standing  as  well  as  the  running 
rigging  came  rattling  down  on  her  decks.  The  volley  of 
musketry  was  more  fatal :  thirteen  of  the  pirates  were 
wounded,  some  of  them  severely. 

"  Well  done,  John  Portuguese  ! "  cried  Hawkhurst ;  "  by 
the  holy  poker !  I  never  gave  you  credit  for  so  much  pluck." 

"  Which  they  shall  dearly  pay  for,"  was  the  cool  reply  of 
Cain,  as  he  still  remained  in  his  exposed  situation. 

"  Blood  for  blood  !  if  I  drink  it,"  observed  the  second  mate, 
as  he  looked  at  the  crimson  rivulet  trickling  down  the  fingers 
of  his  left  hand  from  a  wound  in  his  arm — "just  tie  my  hand- 
kerchief round  this,  Bill." 

In  the  interim,  Cain  had  desired  his  crew  to  elevate  their 
guns,  and  the  broadside  was  returned. 

"  That  will  do,  my  lads  :  starboard  ;  ease  off  the  boomsheet ; 
let  her  go  right  round,  Hawkhurst — we  cannot  afford  to  lose 
our  men." 

The  schooner  wore  round,  and  ran  astern  of  her  opponent. 

The  Portuguese  on  board  the  ship,  imagining  that   the 
55 


THE   PIRATE 

schooner,  finding  she  had  met  with  unexpected  resistance, 
had  sheered  off,  gave  a  loud  cheer. 

"  The  last  you  will  ever  give,  my  fine  fellows ! "  observed 
Cain,  with  a  sneer. 

In  a  few  moments  the  schooner  had  run  a  mile  astern  of 
the  ship. 

"  Now  then,  Hawkhurst,  let  her  come  to  and  about ;  man 
the  long  gun,  and  see  that  every  shot  is  pitched  into  her, 
while  the  rest  of  them  get  up  a  new  foretopmast,  and  knot 
and  splice  the  rigging." 

The  schooner's  head  was  again  turned  towards  the  ship ; 
her  position  was  right  astern,  about  a  mile  distant  or  rather 
more  ;  the  long  32-pounder  gun  amidships  was  now  regularly 
served,  every  shot  passing  through  the  cabin  windows,  or 
some  other  part  of  the  ship's  stern,  raking  her  fore  and  aft. 
In  vain  did  the  ship  alter  her  course,  and  present  her  broad- 
side to  the  schooner ;  the  latter  was  immediately  checked  in 
her  speed,  so  as  to  keep  the  prescribed  distance  at  which  the 
carronades  of  the  ship  were  useless,  and  the  execution  from 
the  long  gun  decisive.  The  ship  was  at  the  mercy  of  the 
pirate ;  and,  as  may  be  expected,  no  mercy  was  shown.  For 
three  hours  did  this  murderous  attack  continue,  when  the 
gun,  which,  as  before  observed,  was  of  brass,  became  so  heated 
that  the  pirate  captain  desired  his  men  to  discontinue. 
Whether  the  ship  had  surrendered  or  not  it  was  impossible 
to  say,  as  it  was  too  dark  to  distinguish  :  while  the  long  gun 
was  served,  the  foretopmast  and  main-gaff  had  been  shifted, 
and  all  the  standing  and  running  rigging  made  good  ;  the 
schooner  keeping  her  distance,  and  following  in  the  wake  of 
the  ship  until  daylight. 

We  must  now  repair  on  board  of  the  ship :  she  was  an 
Indiaman  ;  one  of  the  very  few  that  occasionally  are  sent  out 
by  the  Portuguese  government  to  a  country  which  once 
owned  their  undivided  sway,  but  in  which,  at  present,  they 
hold  but  a  few  miles  of  territory.  She  was  bound  to  Goa, 
and  had  on  board  a  small  detachment  of  troops,  a  new 
56 


THE  ATTACK 

governor  and  his  two  sons,  a  bishop  and  his  niece,  with  her 
attendant.  The  sailing  of  a  vessel  with  such  a  freight  was 
a  circumstance  of  rare  occurrence,  and  was,  of  course,  generally 
bruited  about  long  before  her  departure.  Cain  had,  for  some 
months,  received  all  the  necessary  intelligence  relative  to  her 
cargo  and  destination  ;  but,  as  usual  with  the  Portuguese  of 
the  present  day,  delay  upon  delay  had  followed,  and  it  was 
not  until  about  three  weeks  previous  that  he  had  been  assured 
of  her  immediate  departure.  He  then  ran  down  the  coast 
to  the  bay  we  have  mentioned  that  he  might  intercept  her ; 
and,  as  the  event  had  proved,  showed  his  usual  judgment  and 
decision.  The  fire  of  the  schooner  had  been  most  destructive  ; 
many  of  the  Indiaman's  crew,  as  well  as  of  the  troops,  had 
been  mowed  down  one  after  another  ;  until  at  last,  finding 
that  all  their  efforts  to  defend  themselves  were  useless,  most 
of  those  who  were  still  unhurt  had  consulted  their  safety, 
and  hastened  down  to  the  lowest  recesses  of  the  hold  to 
avoid  the  raking  and  destructive  shot.  At  the  time  that  the 
schooner  had  discontinued  her  fire  to  allow  the  gun  to  cool, 
there  was  no  one  on  deck  but  the  Portuguese  captain  and 
one  old  weather-beaten  seaman  who  stood  at  the  helm. 
Below,  in  the  orlop-deck,  the  remainder  of  the  crew  and  the 
passengers  were  huddled  together  in  a  small  space :  some 
were  attending  to  the  wounded,  who  were  numerous  ;  others 
were  invoking  the  saints  to  their  assistance  ;  the  bishop,  a 
tall,  dignified  person,  apparently  nearly  sixty  years  of  age, 
was  kneeling  in  the  centre  of  the  group,  which  was  dimly 
lighted  by  two  or  three  lanterns,  at  one  time  in  fervent 
prayer,  at  another,  interrupted,  that  he  might  give  absolution 
to  those  wounded  men  whose  spirits  were  departing,  and 
who  were  brought  down  and  laid  before  him  by  their  com- 
rades. On  one  side  of  him  knelt  his  orphan  niece,  a  young 
girl  of  about  seventeen  years  of  age,  watching  his  countenance 
as  he  prayed,  or  bending  down  with  a  look  of  pity  and  tearful 
eyes  on  her  expiring  countrymen,  whose  last  moments  were 
gkddened  by  his  holy  offices.  On  the  other  side  of  the 
57 


THE  PIRATE 

bishop  stood  the  governor,  Don  Philip  de  Ribiera,  and  his 
two  sons,  youths  in  their  prime,  and  holding  commissions  in 
the  king's  service.  There  was  melancholy  on  the  brow  ot 
Don  Ribiera  ;  he  was  prepared  for,  and  he  anticipated,  the 
worst.  The  eldest  son  had  his  eyes  fixed  upon  the  sweet 
countenance  of  Teresa  de  Silva — that  very  evening,  as  they 
walked  together  on  the  deck,  had  they  exchanged  their  vows 
— that  very  evening  they  had  luxuriated  in  the  present,  and 
had  dwelt  with  delightful  anticipation  on  the  future.  But 
we  must  leave  them  and  return  on  deck. 

The  captain  of  the  Poi'tuguese  ship  had  walked  aft,  and 
now  went  up  to  Antonio,  the  old  seaman,  who  was  standing 
at  the  wheel. 

"  I  still  see  her  with  the  glass,  Antonio,  and  yet  she  has 
not  fired  for  nearly  two  hours ;  do  you  think  any  accident 
has  happened  to  her  long  gun  ?  if  so,  we  may  have  some 
chance." 

Antonio  shook  his  head.  "We  have  but  little  chance, 
I  am  afraid,  my  captain ;  I  knew  by  the  ring  of  the  gun, 
when  she  fired  it,  that  it  was  brass ;  indeed,  no  schooner 
could  carry  a  long  iron  gun  of  that  calibre.  Depend  upon  it, 
she  only  waits  for  the  metal  to  cool  and  daylight  to  return  : 
a  long  gun  or  two  might  have  saved  us ;  but  now,  as  she  has 
the  advantage  of  us  in  heels,  we  are  at  her  mercy." 

"  What  can  she  be — a  French  privateer  ?  " 

"  I  trust  it  may  be  so ;  and  I  have  promised  a  silver 
candlestick  to  St.  Antonio  that  it  may  prove  no  worse :  we 
then  may  have  some  chance  of  seeing  our  homes  again  ;  but 
I  fear  not." 

"  What,  then,  do  you  imagine  her  to  be,  Antonio?" 

"The  pirate  which  we  have  heard  so  much  of." 

"  Jesu  protect  us  !  we  must  then  sell  our  lives  as  dearly  as 
we  can." 

"  So  I  intend  to  do,  my  captain,"  replied  Antonio,  shifting 
the  helm  a  spoke. 

The  day  broke,  and  showed  the_schooner  continuing  her 
58 


THE  ATTACK 

pursuit  at  the  same  distance  astern,  without  any  apparent 
movement  on  board.  It  was  not  until  the  sun  was  some 
degrees  above  the  horizon  that  the  smoke  was  again  seen  to 
envelop  her  bows,  and  the  shot  crashed  through  the  timbers 
of  the  Portuguese  ship.  The  reason  for  this  delay  was,  that 
the  pirate  waited  till  the  sun  was  up  to  ascertain  if  there 
were  any  other  vessels  to  be  seen,  previous  to  his  pouncing 
on  his  quarry.  The  Portuguese  captain  went  aft  and  hoisted 
his  ensign,  but  no  flag  Avas  shown  by  the  schooner.  Again 
whistled  the  ball,  and  again  did  it  tear  up  the  decks  of  the 
unfortunate  ship :  many  of  those  who  had  reascended  to 
ascertain  what  was  going  on,  now  hastily  sought  their  former 
retreat. 

"  Mind  the  helm,  Antonio,"  said  the  Portuguese  captain ; 
"  I  must  go  down  and  consult  with  the  governor." 

"  Never  fear,  my  captain ;  as  long  as  these  limbs  hold 
together,  I  will  do  my  duty,"  replied  the  old  man,  exhausted 
as  he  was  by  long  watching  and  fatigue. 

The  captain  descended  to  the  orlop-deck,  where  he  found 
the  major  part  of  the  crew  and  passengers  assembled. 

"  My  lords,"  said  he,  addressing  the  govemor  and  bishop, 
"  the  schooner  has  not  shown  any  colours,  although  our  own 
are  hoisted.  I  am  come  down  to  know  your  pleasure. 
Defence  we  can  make  none ;  and  I  fear  that  we  are  at  the 
mercy  of  a  pirate." 

"  A  pirate  !  "  ejaculated  several,  beating  their  breasts,  and 
calling  upon  their  saints. 

"  Silence,  my  good  people,  silence,"  quietly  observed  the 
bishop ;  "  as  to  what  it  may  be  best  to  do,"  continued  he, 
turning  to  the  captain,  "  I  cannot  advise ;  I  am  a  man  of 
peace,  and  unfit  to  hold  a  place  in  a  council  of  war.  Don 
Ribiera,  I  must  refer  the  point  to  you  and  your  sons. 
Tremble  not,  my  dear  Teresa;  are  we  not  under  the  pro- 
tection of  the  Almighty." 

"  Holy  Virgin,  pity  us  !  "  exclaimed  Teresa. 

"  Come,  my  sons/'  said  Don  Ribiera,  "  we  will  go  on  deck 


THE   PIRATE 

and  consult :  let  not  any  of  the  men  follow  us ;  it  is  useless 
risking  lives  which  may  yet  be  valuable." 

Don  Ribiera  and  his  sons  followed  the  captain  to  the 
quarter-deck,  and  with  him  and  Antonio  they  held  a  consul- 
tation. 

"  We  have  but  one  chance/'  observed  the  old  man,  after 
a  time ;  "  let  us  haul  down  our  colours  as  if  in  submission ; 
they  will  then  range  up  alongside,  and  either  board  us  from 
the  schooner,  or  from  their  boats ;  at  all  events,  we  shall  find 
out  what  she  is,  and,  if  a  pirate,  we  must  sell  our  lives  as 
dearly  as  we  can.  If,  when  we  haul  down  the  colours,  she 
ranges  up  alongside,  as  I  expect  she  will,  let  all  the  men  be 
prepared  for  a  desperate  struggle." 

"You  are.  right,  Antonio,"  replied  the  governor;  "go  aft, 
captain,  and  haul  down  the  colours  ! — let  us  see  what  she 
does  now.  Down,  my  boys !  and  prepare  the  men  to  do 
their  duty." 

As  Antonio  had  predicted,  so  soon  as  the  colours  were 
hauled  down,  the  schooner  ceased  firing  and  made  sail.  She 
ranged  up  on  the  quarter  of  the  ship,  and  up  to  her  main 
peak  soared  the  terrific  black  flag ;  her  broadside  was  poured 
into  the  Indiaman,  and  before  the  smoke  had  cleared  away 
there  was  a  concussion  from  the  meeting  sides,  and  the 
bearded  pirates  poured  upon  her  decks. 

The  crew  of  the  Portuguese,  with  the  detachment  of 
troops,  still  formed  a  considerable  body  of  men.  The  sight 
of  the  black  flag  had  struck  ice  into  every  heart,  but  the 
feeling  was  resolved  into  one  of  desperation. 

"  Knives,  men,  knives  ! "  roared  Antonio,  rushing  on  to 
the  attack,  followed  by  the  most  brave. 

"  Blood  for  blood  ! "  cried  the  second  mate,  aiming  a  blow 
at  the  old  man. 

"You  have  it,"  replied  Antonio,  as  his  knife  entered  the 
pirate's  heart,  while,  at  the  same  moment,  he  fell  and  was 
himself  a  corpse. 

The  struggle  was  deadly,  but  the  numbers  and  ferocity  of 
60 


THE  CAPTURE 

the  pirates  prevailed.  Cain  rushed  forward  followed  by 
Hawkhurst,  bearing  down  all  who  opposed  them.  With 
one  blow  from  the  pirate-captain,  the  head  of  Don  Ribiera 
was  severed  to  the  shoulder;  a  second  struck  down  the 
eldest  son,  while  the  sword  of  Hawkhurst  passed  through  the 
body  of  the  other.  The  Portuguese  captain  had  already 
fallen,  and  the  men  no  longer  stood  their  ground.  A  general 
massacre  ensued,  and  the  bodies  were  thrown  overboard  as 
fast  as  the  men  were  slaughtered.  In  less  than  five  minutes 
there  was  not  a  living  Portuguese  on  the  bloody  decks  of  the 
ill-fated  ship. 

CHAPTER    IX 

THE    CAPTURE 

X  ASS  the  word  for  not  a  man  to  go  below,  Hawkhurst!" 
said  the  pirate-captain. 

"I  have,  sir;  and  sentries  are  stationed  at  the  hatchways. 
Shall  we  haul  the  schooner  off?  " 

"No,  let  her  remain;  the  breeze  is  faint  alreadv  :  we 
shall  have  a  calm  in  half-an-hour.  Have  we  lost  many 
men  ?  " 

"  Only  seven,  that  I  can  reckon  ;  but  we  have  lost  Wallace  " 
(the  second  mate). 

"  A  little  promotion  will  do  no  harm,"  replied  Cain  ;  "take 
a  dozen  of  our  best  men  and  search  the  ship,  there  are  others 
alive  yet.  By-the-bye,  send  a  watch  on  board  of  the  schooner ; 
she  is  left  to  the  mercy  of  the  Kroumen,  and " 

"One  who  is  better  out  of  her,"  replied  Hawkhurst. 

"And  those  we  find  below "  continued  the  mate. 

"Alive!" 

"  True ;  we  may  else  be  puzzled  where  to  find  that  portion 
of  her  cargo  which  suits  us,"  said  Hawkhurst,  going  down 
the  hatchway  to  collect  the  men  who  were   plundering  on 
the  main  deck  and  in  the  captain's  cabin. 
61 


THE  PIRATE 

"  Here,  you  Maltese  !  up,  there  !  and  look  well  round  if 
there  is  anything  in  sight,"  said  the  captain,  walking  aft. 

Before  Hawkhurst  had  collected  the  men  and  ordered 
them  on  board  of  the  schooner,  as  usual  in  those  latitudes, 
it  had  fallen  a  perfect  calm. 

Where  was  Francisco  during  this  scene  of  blood  ?  He 
had  remained  in  the  cabin  of  the  schooner.  Cain  had  more 
than  once  gone  down  to  him,  to  persuade  him  to  come  on 
deck  and  assist  at  the  boarding  of  the  Portuguese,  but  in 
vain — his  sole  reply  to  the  threats  and  solicitations  of  the 
pirate  was — 

"  Do  with  me  as  you  please — I  have  made  up  my  mind — 
you  know  I  do  not  fear  death — as  long  as  I  remain  on  board 
of  this  vessel,  I  will  take  no  part  in  your  atrocities.  If  you 
do  respect  my  mother's  memory,  suffer  her  son  to  seek  an 
honest  and  honourable  livelihood." 

The  words  of  Francisco  were  ringing  in  the  ears  of  Cain 
as  he  walked  up  and  down  on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  Portu- 
guese vessel,  and,  debased  as  he  was,  he  could  not  help 
thinking  that  the  youth  was  his  equal  in  animal  and  his 
superior  in  mental  courage.  He  was  arguing  in  his  own  mind 
upon  the  course  he  should  pursue  with  respect  to  Francisco, 
when  Hawkhurst  made  his  appearance  on  deck,  followed  by 
his  men,  who  dragged  up  six  individuals  who  had  escaped  the 
massacre.  These  were  the  bishop  ;  his  niece ;  a  Portuguese 
girl,  her  attendant ;  the  supercargo  of  the  vessel ;  a  sacristan  ; 
and  a  servant  of  the  ecclesiastic  :  they  were  hauled  along  the 
deck  and  placed  in  a  row  before  the  captain,  who  cast  his 
eyes  upon  them  in  severe  scrutiny.  The  bishop  and  his 
niece  looked  round,  the  one  proudly  meeting  the  eye  of  Cain, 
although  he  felt  that  his  hour  was  come  ;  the  other  carefully 
avoiding  his  gaze,  and  glancing  round  to  ascertain  whether 
there  were  any  other  prisoners,  and  if  so,  if  her  betrothed 
was  amongst  them  ;  but  her  eye  discovered  not  what  she 
sought — it  was  met  only  by  the  bearded  faces  of  the  pirate 
crew,  and  the  blood  which  bespattered  the  deck, 
62 


THE  CAPTURE 

She  covered  her  face  with  her  hands. 

"Bring  that  man  forward/'  said  Cain,  pointing  to  the 
servant.  "  Who  are  you  ?  " 

"A  servant  of  my  lord  the  bishop." 

"  And  you  ?  "  continued  the  captain. 

"A  poor  sacristan  attending  upon  my  lord  the  bishop." 

"  And  you  ?  "  cried  he  to  a  third. 

"The  supercargo  of  this  vessel." 

"  Put  him  aside,  Hawkhurst !  " 

"Do  you  want  the  others?"  inquired  Hawkhurst  signi- 
ficantly. 

"  No." 

Hawkhurst  gave  a  signal  to  some  of  the  pirates,  who  led 
away  the  sacristan  and  the  servant.  A  stifled  shriek  and  a 
heavy  plunge  in  the  water  were  heard  a  few  seconds  after. 
During  this  time  the  pirate  had  been  questioning  the  super- 
cargo as  to  the  contents  of  the  vessel,  and  her  stowage,  when 
he  was  suddenly  interrupted  by  one  of  the  pirates,  who,  in  a 
hurried  voice,  stated  that  the  ship  had  received  several  shot 
between  wind  and  water  and  was  sinking  fast.  Cain,  who 
was  standing  on  the  slide  of  the  carronade  with  his  sword  in 
his  hand,  raised  his  arm  and  struck  the  pirate  a  blow  on  the 
head  with  the  hilt,  which,  whether  intended  or  not,  fractured 
his  skull,  and  the  man  fell  upon  the  deck. 

"  Take  that,  babbler,  for  your  intelligence  ;  if  these  men 
are  obstinate,  we  may  have  worked  for  nothing." 

The  crew,  who  felt  the  truth  of  their  captain's  remark, 
did  not  appear  to  object  to  the  punishment  inflicted,  and  the 
body  of  the  man  was  dragged  away. 

"What  mercy  can  we  expect  from  those  who  show  no 
mercy  even  to  each  other  ?  "  observed  the  bishop,  lifting  his 
eyes  to  heaven. 

"  Silence  ! "  cried  Cain,  who  now  interrogated  the  super- 
cargo as  to  the  contents  of  the  hold — the  poor  man  answered 
as  well  as  he  could — "  the  plate  !  the  money  for  the  troops — 
where  are  they  ?  " 

63 


THE   PIRATE 

"The  money  for  the  troops  is  in  the  spirit-room,  but  of 
the  plate  I  know  nothing ;  it  is  in  some  of  the  cases  belong- 
ing to  my  lord  the  bishop." 

"  Hawkhurst !  down  at  once  to  the  spirit-room  and  see 
to  the  money ;  in  the  meantime  I  will  ask  a  few  questions 
of  this  revei-end  father." 

"  And  the  supercargo — do  you  want  him  any  more  ?  " 

"  No  ;  he  may  go." 

The  poor  man  fell  down  on  his  knees  in  thankfulness  at 
what  he  considered  his  escape  :  he  was  dragged  away  by  the 
pirates,  and  it  is  scarcely  necessary  to  add  that  in  a  minute 
his  body  was  torn  to  pieces  by  the  sharks,  who,  scenting 
their  prey  from  a  distance,  were  now  playing  in  shoals  around 
the  two  vessels. 

The  party  on  the  quarter-deck  were  now  (unperceived  by 
the  captain)  joined  by  Francisco,  who,  hearing  from  the 
Krouman,  Pompey,  that  there  were  prisoners  still  on  board, 
and  amongst  them  two  females,  had  come  over  to  plead  the 
cause  of  mercy. 

"  Most  reverend  father,"  observed  Cain,  after  a  short  pause, 
"you  have  many  articles  of  value  in  this  vessel  ?" 

"  None,"  replied  the  bishop,  "  except  this  poor  girl ;  she 
is,  indeed,  beyond  price,  and  will,  I  trust,  soon  be  an  angel 
in  heaven." 

"  Yet  is  this  world,  if  what  you  preach  be  true,  a  purgatory 
which  must  be  passed  through  previous  to  arriving  there, 
and  that  girl  may  think  death  a  blessing  compared  to  what 
she  may  expect  if  you  refuse  to  tell  me  what  I  would  know. 
You  have  good  store  of  gold  and  silver  ornaments  for  your 
churches — where  are  they  ?  " 

"They  are  among  the  packages  entrusted  to  my  care." 

"  How  many  may  you  have  in  all  ?  " 

"  A  hundred,  if  not  more." 

"Will  you  deign  to  inform  me  where  I  may  find  what  I 
require  ?" 

"The  gold  and  silver  are  not  mine,,  but  are  the  property 
64 


THE  CAPTURE 

of  that  God  to  whom  they  have  been  dedicated,"  replied  the 
bishop. 

"  Answer  quickly  ;  no  more  subterfuge,  good  sir.  Where 
is  it  to  be  found?" 

"  I  will  not  tell,  thou  blood-stained  man  ;  at  least,  in  this 
instance,  there  shall  be  disappointment,  and  the  sea  shall 
swallow  up  those  earthly  treasures  to  obtain  which  thou  hast 
so  deeply  imbrued  thy  hands.  Pirate  !  I  repeat  it,  I  will 
not  tell." 

"Seize  that  girl,  my  lads  !"  cried  Cain  ;  "she  is  yours,  do 
with  her  as  you  please." 

"  Save  me  !  oh,  save  me  ! "  shrieked  Teresa,  clinging  to 
the  bishop's  robe. 

The  pirates  advanced  and  laid  hold  of  Teresa.  Francisco 
bounded  from  where  he  stood  behind  the  captain,  and  dashed 
away  the  foremost. 

"  Are  you  men?"  cried  he,  as  the  pirates  retreated.  "  Holy 
sir,  I  honour  you.  Alas  !  I  cannot  save  you,"  continued 
Francisco  mournfully.  "Yet  will  I  try.  On  my  knees — 
by  the  love  you  bore  my  mother— by  the  affection  you  once 
bore  me — do  not  commit  this  horrid  deed.  My  lads  !  "  con- 
tinued Francisco,  appealing  to  the  pirates,  "join  with  me 
and  entreat  your  captain;  ye  are  too  brave,  too  manly,  to 
injure  the  helpless  and  the  innocent — above  all,  to  shed  the 
blood  of  a  holy  man,  and  of  this  poor  trembling  maiden." 

There  was  a  pause — even  the  pirates  appeared  to  side  with 
Francisco,  though  none  of  them  dared  to  speak.  The  muscles 
of  the  captain's  face  quivered  with  emotion,  but  from  what 
source  could  not  be  ascertained. 

At  this  moment  the  interest  of  the  scene  was  heightened. 
The  girl  who  attended  upon  Teresa,  crouched  on  her  knees 
with  terror,  had  been  casting  her  fearful  eyes  upon  the  men 
which  composed  the  pirate  crew ;  suddenly  she  uttered  a 
scream  of  delight  as  she  discovered  among  them  one  that 
she  well  knew.  He  was  a  young  man,  about  twenty  five 
years  of  age,  with  little  or  no  beard.  He  had  been  her  lover 
65  E 


THE  PIRATE 

in  his  more  innocent  days;  and  she,  for  more  than  a  year, 
had  mourned  him  as  dead,  for  the  vessel  in  which  he  sailed 
had  never  been  heard  of.  It  had  been  taken  by  the  pirate, 
and,  to  save  his  life,  he  had  joined  the  crew. 

"  Filippo !  Filippo  ! "  screamed  the  girl,  rushing  into  his 
arms.  "  Mistress  !  it  is  Filippo  ;  and  we  are  safe." 

Filippo  instantly  recognised  her ;  the  sight  of  her  brought 
back  to  his  memory  his  days  of  happiness  and  of  innocence  ; 
and  the  lovers  were  clasped  in  each  other's  arms. 

"  Save  them  !  spare  them  ! — by  the  spirit  of  my  mother  ! 
I  charge  you,"  repeated  Francisco,  again  appealing  to  the 
captain. 

"  May  God  bless  thee,  thou  good  young  man ! "  said  the 
bishop,  advancing  and  placing  his  hand  upon  Francisco's 
head. 

Cain  answered  not ;  but  his  broad  expanded  chest  heaved 
with  emotion — when  Hawkhurst  burst  into  the  group. 

"  We  are  too  late  for  the  money,  captain ;  the  water  is 
already  six  feet  above  it.  We  must  now  try  for  the 
treasure." 

This  intelligence  appeared  to  check  the  current  of  the 
captain's  feelings. 

"  Now,  in  one  word,  sir,"  said  he  to  the  bishop,  "  where  is 
the  treasure  ?  Trifle  not,  or,  by  Heaven — 

"Name  not  Heaven,"  replied  the  bishop;  "you  have  had 
my  answer." 

The  captain  turned  away,  and  gave  some  directions  to 
Hawkhurst,  who  hastened  below. 

"  Remove  that  boy,"  said  Cain  to  the  pirates,  pointing 
to  Francisco.  "Separate  those  two  fools,"  continued  he, 
looking  towards  Filippo  and  the  girl,  who  were  sobbing  in 
each  other's 'arms. 

"  Never  ! "  cried  Filippo. 

"  Throw  the  girl  to  the  sharks  !  Do  you  hear  ?  Am  I  to 
be  obeyed  ?  "  cried  Cain,  raising  his  cutlass. 

Filippo  started  up,  disengaged  himself  from  the  girl,  and 
66 


THE  CAPTURE 

drawing  his  knife,  rushed  towards  the  captain  to  plunge  it  in 
his  bosom. 

With  the  quickness  of  lightning  the  captain  caught  his  up- 
lifted hand,  and,,  breaking  his  wrist,  hurled  him  to  the  deck. 

"  Indeed  ! "  cried  he,  with  a  sneer. 

"  You  shall  not  separate  us,"  said  Filippo,  attempting  to  rise. 

"  I  do  not  intend  it,  my  good  lad,"  replied  Cain.  "  Lash 
them  both  together  and  launch  them  overboard." 

This  order  was  now  obeyed ;  for  the  pirates  not  only 
quailed  before  the  captain's  cool  courage,  but  were  indignant 
that  his  life  had  been  attempted.  There  was  little  occasion 
to  tie  the  unhappy  pair  together ;  they  were  locked  so  fast 
in  each  other's  arms  that  it  would  have  been  impossible 
almost  to  separate  them.  In  this  state  they  were  carried  to 
the  entering. port,  and  cast  into  the  sea. 

"  Monster ! "  cried  the  bishop,  as  he  heard  the  splash, 
"  thou  wilt  have  a  heavy  reckoning  for  this." 

"  Now  bring  these  forward,"  said  Cain,  with  a  savage  voice. 

The  bishop  and  his  niece  were  led  to  the  gangway. 

"What  dost  thou  see,  good  bishop?"  said  Cain,  pointing 
to  the  discoloured  water,  and  the  rapid  motion  of  the  fins  of 
the  sharks,  eager  in  the  anticipation  of  a  further  supply. 

"  I  see  ravenous  creatures  after  their  kind,"  replied  the 
bishop,  "  who  will,  in  all  probability,  soon  tear  asunder  these 
poor  limbs;  but  I  see  no  monster  like  thyself.  Teresa, 
dearest,  fear  not ;  there  is  a  God,  an  avenging  God,  as  well 
as  a  rewarding  one." 

But  Teresa's  eyes  were  closed — she  could  not  look  upon 
the  scene. 

"  You  have  your  choice ;  first  torture,  and  then  your  body 
to  those  sharks  for  your  own  portion ;  and  as  for  the  girl, 
this  moment  I  hand  her  over  to  my  crew." 

"  Never  ! "  shrieked  Teresa,  springing  from  the  deck  and 
plunging  into  the  wave. 

There  was  a  splash  of  contention,  the  lashing  of  tails,  until 
the  water  was  in  a  foam,  and  then  the  dark  colour  gradually 
67 


THE   PIRATE 

cleared  away,  and  nought  was  to  be  seen  but  the  pure  blue 
wave  and  the  still  unsatiated  monsters  of  the  deep. 

"  The  screws — the  screws !  quick  !  we'll  have  the  secret 
from  him,"  cried  the  pii'ate  captain,  turning  to  his  crew, 
who,  villains  as  they  were,  had  been  shocked  at  this  last 
catastrophe.  "  Seize  him  !  " 

"  Touch  him  not !  "  cried  Francisco,  standing  on  the  ham- 
mock nettings  ;  ff  touch  him  not !  if  you  are  men." 

Boiling  with  rage,  Cain  let  go  the  arm  of  the  bishop,  drew 
his  pistol,  and  levelled  it  at  Francisco.  The  bishop  threw  up 
the  arm  of  Cain  as  he  fired  ;  saw  that  he  had  missed  his  aim, 
and  clasping  his  hands,  raised  his  eyes  to  heaven  in  thankful- 
ness at  Francisco's  escape.  In  this  position  he  was  collared 
by  Hawkhiirst,  whose  anger  overcame  his  discretion,  and  who 
hurled  him  through  the  entering  port  into  the  sea. 

"  Officious  fool ! "  muttered  Cain,  when  he  perceived  what 
the  mate  had  done.  Then,  recollecting  himself,  he  cried, 
"Seize  that  boy  and  bring  him  here." 

One  or  two  of  the  crew  advanced  to  obey  his  orders ;  but 
Pompey  and  the  Kroumen,  who  had  been  attentive  to  what 
was  going  on,  had  collected  round  Francisco,  and  a  scuffle 
ensued.  The  pirates,  not  being  very  determined,  nor  very 
anxious  to  take  Francisco,  allowed  him  to  be  hurried  away 
in  the  centre  of  the  Kroumen,  who  bore  him  safely  to  the 
schooner. 

In  the  meantime  Hawkhurst,  and  the  major  part  of  the 
men  on  board  of  the  ship,  had  been  tearing  up  the  hold  to 
obtain  the  valuables,  but  without  success.  The  water  had 
now  reached  above  the  orlop-deck,  and  all  further  attempts 
were  unavailing.  The  ship  was  settling  fast,  and  it  became 
necessary  to  quit  her,  and  haul  off  the  schooner,  that  she 
might  not  be  endangered  by  the  vortex  of  the  sinking  vessel. 
Cain  and  Hawkhurst,  with  their  disappointed  crew,  returned 
on  board  the  schooner,  and  before  they  had  succeeded  in 
detaching  the  two  vessels  a  cable's  length,  the  ship  went 
down  with  all  the  treasure  so  coveted.  The  indignation  and 
68 


1  Never  ! '  shrieked  Teresa,  springing  from  the  deck  and  plunging 
into  the  wave." 


THE  CAPTURE 

rage  which  were  expressed  by  the  captain  as  he  rapidly 
walked  the  deck  in  company  with  his  first  mate — his  violent 
gesticulations— proved  to  the  crew  that  there  was  mischief 
brewing.  Francisco  did  not  return  to  the  cabin  ;  he  remained 
forward  with  the  Kroumen,  who,  although  but  a  small  portion 
of  the  ship's  company,  were  known  to  be  resolute  and  not  to 
be  despised.  It  was  also  observed  that  all  of  them  had  sup- 
plied themselves  with  arras,  and  were  collected  forward, 
huddled  together,  watching  every  motion  and  manoeuvre, 
and  talking  rapidly  in  their  own  language.  The  schooner 
was  now  steered  to  the  north-westward  under  all  press  of 
saij.  The  sun  again  disappeared,  but  Francisco  returned  not 
to  the  cabin — he  went  below,  surrounded  by  the  Kroumen, 
who  appeared  to  have  devoted  themselves  to  his  protection. 
Once  during  the  night  Hawkhurst  summoned  them  on  deck, 
but  they  obeyed  not  the  order ;  and  to  the  expostulation  of 
the  boatswain's  mate,  who  came  down,  they  made  no  reply. 
But  there  were  many  of  the  pirates  in  the  schooner  who 
appeared  to  coincide  with  the  Kroumen  in  their  regard  for 
Francisco.  There  are  shades  of  villainy  in  the  most  profli- 
gate of  societies  ;  and  among  the  pirate's  crew  some  were 
not  vet  wholly  debased.  The  foul  murder  of  a  holy  man — 
the  cruel  fate  of  the  beautiful  Teresa — and  the  barbarous 
conduct  of  the  captain  towards  Filippo  and  his  mistress,  were 
deeds  of  an  atrocity  to  which  even  the  most  hardened  were 
unaccustomed.  Francisco's  pleadings  in  behalf  of  mercy  were 
at  least  no  crime  ;  and  yet  they  considered  that  Francisco 
was  doomed.  He  was  a  general  favourite ;  the  worst-dis- 
posed of  the  pirates,  with  the  exception  of  Hawkhurst,  if 
they  did  not  love,  could  not  forbear  respecting  him;  although 
at  the  same  time  they  felt  that  if  Francisco  remained  en 
board  the  power  even  of  Cain  himself  would  soon  be  de- 
stroyed. For  many  months  Hawkhurst,  who  detested  the 
youth,  had  been  most  earnest  that  he  should  be  sent  out  of 
the  schooner.  Now  he  pressed  the  captain  for  his  removal 
in  any  way,  as  necessary  for  their  mutual  safety,  pointing  out 


THE   PIRATE 

to  Cain  the  conduct  of  the  Kroumen,  and  his  fears  that  a  large 
proportion  of  the  ship's  company  were  equally  disaffected. 
Cain  felt  the  truth  of  Hawkhurst's  representation,  and  he  went 
down  to  his  cabin  to  consider  upon  what  should  be  done. 

It  was  past  midnight  when  Cain,  worn-out  with  the  con- 
flicting passions  of  the  day,  fell  into  an  uneasy  slumber.  His 
dreams  were  of  Francisco's  mother — she  appeared  to  him 
pleading  for  her  son,  and  Cain  "  babbled  in  his  sleep."  At 
this  time  Francisco,  with  Pompey,  had  softly  crawled  aft, 
that  they  might  obtain,  if  they  found  the  captain  asleep,  the 
pistols  of  Francisco,  with  some  ammunition.  Pompey  slipped 
in  first,  and  started  back  when  he  heard  the  captain's  voice. 
They  remained  at  the  cabin  door  listening.  "  No — no/' 
muttered  Cain,  "he  must  die — unless — plead  not,  woman  ! — 
I  know  I  murdered  thee — plead  not,  he  dies  ! " 

In  one  of  the  sockets  of  the  silver  lamp  there  was  a 
lighted  wick,  the  rays  of  which  were  sufficient  to  afford  a 
dim  view  of  the  cabin.  Francisco,  overhearing  the  words  of 
Cain,  stepped  in,  and  walked  up  to  the  side  of  the  bed. 
"  Boy  !  plead  not,"  continued  Cain,  lying  on  his  back  and 
breathing  heavily  —  "plead  not  —  woman! — to-morrow  he 
dies."  A  pause  ensued,  as  if  the  sleeping  man  was  listening 
to  a  reply.  "  Yes  ;  as  I  murdered  thee,  so  will  I  murder  him." 

"  Wretch  ! "  said  Francisco,  in  a  low,  solemn  voice,  "  didst 
thou  kill  my  mother  ?  " 

"  I  did — I  did  !  "  responded  Cain,  still  sleeping. 

"And  why?"  continued  Francisco,  who,  at  this  acknow- 
ledgment on  the  part  of  the  sleeping  captain,  was  careless 
of  discovery. 

"  In  my  mood  she  vexed  me,"  answered  Cain. 

"  Fiend ;  thou  hast  then  confessed  it ! "  cried  Francisco 
in  a  loud  voice,  which  awoke  the  captain,  who  started  up ; 
but  before  his  senses  were  well  recovered,  or  his  eyes  open 
so  as  to  distinguish  their  forms,  Pompey  struck  out  the  light, 
and  all  was  darkness :  he  then  put  his  hand  to  Francisco's 
mouth,  and  led  him  out  of  the  cabin. 
7Q 


THE   CAPTURE 

"Who's  there  ? — who's  there  ?  "  cried  Cain. 

The  officer  in  charge  of  the  deck  hastened  down.  "  Did 
you  call,  sir  ?  " 

"  Call !  "  repeated  the  captain.  "  I  thought  there  was  some 
one  in  the  cabin.  I'  want  a  light — that's  all,"  continued  he, 
recovering  himself,  as  he  wiped  the  cold  perspiration  from 
his  forehead. 

In  the  meantime  Francisco,  with  Pompey,  had  gained  his 
former  place  of  refuge  with  the  Kroumen.  The  feelings  of 
the  young  man  changed  from  agony  to  revenge  ;  his  object 
in  returning  to  the  cabin  to  recover  his  weapons  had  been 
frustrated,  but  his  determination  now  was  to  take  the  life  of 
the  captain  if  he  possibly  could.  The  following  morning  the 
Kroumen  again  refused  to  work  or  go  on  deck  ;  and  the  state 
of  affairs  was  reported  by  Hawkhurst  to  his  chief.  The  mate 
now  assumed  another  tone ;  for  he  had  sounded  not  the 
majority  but  the  most  steady  and  influential  men  on  board, 
who,  like  himself,  were  veterans  in  crime. 

"It  must  be,  sir;  or  you  will  no  longer  command  this 
vessel.  I  am  desired  to  say  so." 

"  Indeed  !  "  replied  Cain,  with  a  sneer.  "  Perhaps  you 
have  already  chosen  my  successor?" 

Hawkhurst  perceived  that  he  had  lost  ground,  and  he 
changed  his  manner.  "  I  speak  but  for  yourself :  if  you  do 
not  command  this  vessel  I  shall  not  remain  in  her ;  if  you 
quit  her,  I  quit  also  ;  and  we  must  find  another." 

Cain  was  pacified,  and  the  subject  was  not  renewed. 

"Turn  the  hands  up,"  at  last  said  the  captain.  The 
pirate  crew  assembled  aft. 

"  My  lads,  I  am  sorry  that  our  laws  oblige  me  to  make  an 
example ;  but  mutiny  and  disaffection  must  be  punished.  I 
am  equally  bound  as  yourselves  by  the  laws  which  we  have 
laid  down  for  our  guidance  while  we  sail  together ;  and  you 
may  believe  that  in  doing  my  duty  in  this  instance  I  am 
guided  by  a  sense  of  justice,  and  wish  to  prove  to  you  that 
I  am  worthy  to  command.  Francisco  has  been  with  me 
71 


THE   PIRATE 

since  he  was  a  child  ;  he  has  lived  with  me,  and  it  is  painful 
to  part  with  him ;  but  I  am  here  to  see  that  our  laws  are 
put  in  force.  He  has  been  guilty  of  repeated  mutiny  and 
contempt,  and — he  must  die." 

"  Death  !  death  !  "  cried  several  of  the  pirates  in  advance  ; 
"  death  and  justice  !  " 

"  No  more  murder  ! "  said  several  voices  from  behind. 

"  Who's  that  that  speaks  ?  " 

"  Too  much  murder  yesterday — no  more  murder  !  "  shouted 
several  voices  at  once. 

"  Let  the  men  come  forward  who  speak,"  cried  Cain,  with 
a  withering  look.  No  one  obeyed  this  order.  "  Down,  then, 
my  men  !  and  bring  up  Francisco." 

The  whole  of  the  pirate  crew  hastened  below,  but  with 
different  intentions ;  some  were  determined  to  seize  Fran- 
cisco, and  hand  him  over  to  death — others  to  protect  him. 
A  confused  noise  was  heard — the  shouts  of  "  Down  and  seize 
him  !  "  opposed  to  those  of  "  No  murder/  No  murder  ! " 

Both  parties  had  snatched  up  their  arms ;  those  who  sided 
with  Francisco  joined  the  Kroumen,  whilst  the  others  also 
hastened  below  to  bring  him  on  deck.  A  slight  scuffle 
ensued  before  they  separated,  and  ascertained  by  the  sepa- 
ration the  strength  of  the  contending  parties.  Francisco, 
perceiving  that  he  was  joined  by  a  large  body,  desired  his 
men  to  follow  him,  went  up  the  fore-ladder,  and  took  pos- 
session of  the  forecastle.  The  pirates  on  his  side  supplied 
him  with  arms,  and  Francisco  stood  forward  in  advance. 
Hawkhurst,  and  those  of  the  crew  who  sided  with  him,  had 
retreated  to  the  quarter-deck,  and  rallied  round  the  captain, 
who  leaned  against  the  capstern.  They  were  then  able  to 
estimate  their  comparative  strength.  The  number,  on  the 
whole,  preponderated  in  favour  of  Francisco ;  but  on  the 
captain's  side  were  the  older  and  more  athletic  of  the  crew, 
and,  we  may  add,  the  moi'e  determined.  Still,  the  captain 
and  Hawkhurst  perceived  the  danger  of  their  situation,  and 
it  was  thought  advisable  to  parley  for  the  present,  and  wreak 


THE  CAPTURE 

their  vengeance  hereafter.     For  a  few  minutes  there  was  a 
low  consultation  between  both  parties  ;  at  last  Cain  advanced. 

"  My  lads,"  said  he,  addressing  those  who  had  rallied 
round  Francisco,  "  I  little  thought  that  a  firebrand  would 
have  been  cast  in  this  vessel  to  set  us  all  at  variance.  It 
was  my  duty,  as  your  captain,  to  propose  that  our  laws  should 
be  enforced.  Tell  me,  now,  what  is  it  that  you  wish.  I  am 
only  here  as  your  captain,  and  to  take  the  sense  of  the  whole 
crew.  I  have  no  animosity  against  that  lad  ;  I  have  loved 
him — I  have  cherished  him ;  but  like  a  viper,  he  has  stung 
nie  in  return.  Instead  of  being  in  arms  against  each  other, 
ought  we  not  to  be  united  ?  I  have,  therefore,  one  proposal 
to  make  to  you,  which  is  this  :  let  the  sentence  go  by  vote, 
or  ballot,  if  you  please  ;  and  whatever  the  sentence  may  be, 
I  shall  be  guided  by  it.  Can  I  say  more  ?  " 

"  My  lads,"  replied  Francisco,  when  the  captain  had  done 
speaking,  "  I  think  it  better  that  you  should  accept  this 
proposal  rather  than  that  blood  should  be  shed.  My  life  is 
of  little  consequence ;  say,  then,  will  you  agree  to  the  vote, 
and  submit  to  those  laws,  which,  as  the  captain  says,  have 
been  laid  down  to  regulate  the  discipline  of  the  vessel  ?  " 

The  pirates  on  Francisco's  side  looked  round  among  their 
party,  and,  perceiving  that  they  were  the  most  numerous, 
consented  to  the  proposal ;  but  Hawkhurst  stepped  forward 
and  observed  :  "  Of  course  the  Kroumen  can  have  no  votes, 
as  they  do  not  belong  to  the  vessel." 

This  objection  was  important,  as  they  amounted  to  twenty- 
five,  and,  after  that  number  was  deducted,  in  all  probability, 
Francisco's  adherents  would  have  been  in  the  minority.  The 
pirates  with  Francisco  objected,  and  again  assumed  the  atti- 
tude of  defence. 

"  One  moment,"  said  Francisco,  stepping  in  advance  ;  "  be- 
fore this  point  is  settled,  I  wish  to  take  the  sense  of  all  of  you 
as  to  another  of  your  laws.  I  ask  you,  Hawkhurst,  and  all 
who  are  now  opposed  to  me,  whether  you  have  not  one  law, 
which  is  Blood  for  blood  ?  " 

73 


THE   PIRATE 

"Yes — yes,"  shouted  all  the  pirates. 

"Then  let  your  captain  stand  forward,  and  answer  to  my 
charge,  if  he  dares." 

Cain  curled  his  lip  in  derision,  and  walked  within  two  yards 
of  Francisco. 

"Well,  boy,  I'm  here  ;  and  what  is  your  charge  ?  " 

"  First — I  ask  you,  Captain  Cain,  who  are  so  anxious  that 
the  laws  should  be  enforced,  whether  you  acknowledge  that 
'  Blood  for  blood '  is  a  just  law  ?  " 

"  Most  just :  and,  when  shed,  the  party  who  revenges  is 
not  amenable." 

"  'Tis  well :  then,  villain  that  thou  art,  answer — Didst  thou 
not  murder  my  mother  ?  " 

Cain,  at  this  accusation,  started. 

"  Answer  the  truth,  or  lie  like  a  recreant ! "  repeated 
Francisco.  "  Did  you  not  murder  my  mother  ?  " 

The  captain's  lips  and  the  muscles  of  his  face  quivered,  but 
he  did  not  reply. 

"  Blood  for  blood  !  "  cried  Francisco,  as  he  fired  his  pistol  ?t 
Cain,  who  staggered,  and  fell  on  the  deck. 

Hawkhurst  and  several  of  the  pirates  hastened  to  the 
captain,  and  raised  him. 

"She  must  have  told  him  last  night,"  said  Cain,  speaking 
with  difficulty,  as  the  blood  flowed  from  the  wound. 

"  He  told  me  so  himself,"  said  Francisco,  turning  round  to 
those  who  stood  by  him. 

Cain  was  taken  down  into  the  cabin.  On  examination,  his 
wound  was  not  mortal,  although  the  loss  of  blood  had  been 
rapid  and  very  great.  In  a  few  minutes  Hawkhurst  joined 
the  party  on  the  quarter-deck.  He  found  that  the  tide  had 
turned  more  in  Francisco's  favour  than  he  had  expected  ;  the 
law  of  "Blood  for  blood"  was  held  most  sacred  :  indeed,  it 
was  but  the  knowledge  that  it  was  solemnly  recognised,  and 
that,  if  one  pirate  wounded  another,  the  other  was  at  liberty 
to  take  his  life,  without  punishment,  which  prevented  constant 
affrays  between  parties,  whose  knives  would  otherwise  have 
74 


THE  CAPTURE 

been  the  answer  to  every  affront.  It  was  a  more  debased  law 
of  duelling,  which  kept  such  profligate  associates  on  good 
terms.  Finding,  therefore,  that  this  feeling  predominated, 
even  among  those  who  were  opposed  to  Francisco  on  the 
other  question,  Hawkhurst  thought  it  advisable  to  parley. 

"Hawkhurst,"  said  Francisco,  "  I  have  but  one  request  to 
make,  which,  if  complied  with,  will  put  an  end  to  this  con- 
tention;  it  is,  that  you  will  put  me  on  shore  at  the  first  land 
that  we  make.  If  you  and  your  party  engage  to  do  this, 
I  will  desire  those  who  support  me  to  return  to  their 
obedience." 

"I  grant  it,"  replied  Hawkhurst  ;  "and  so  will  the  others. 
Will  you  not,  my  men  ?  " 

"  Agreed — agreed  upon  all  sides,"  cried  the  pirates,  throw- 
ing away  their  weapons,  and  mingling  with  each  other  as  if 
they  had  never  been  opposed. 

There  is  an  old  saying  that  there  is  honour  amongst 
thieves ;  and  so  it  often  proves.  Every  man  in  the  vessel 
knew  that  this  agreement  would  be  strictly  adhered  to ;  and 
Francisco  now  walked  the  deck  with  as  much  composure  as  if 
nothing  had  occurred. 

Hawkhurst,  who  was  aware  that  he  must  fulfil  his  promise, 
carefully  examined  the  charts  when  he  went  down  below, 
came  up  and  altered  the  course  of  the  schooner  two  points 
more  to  the  northward.  The  next  morning  he  was  up  at  the 
mast-head  nearly  half-an-hour,  when  he  descended  and  again 
altered  the  course.  By  nine  o'clock  a  low  sandy  island 
appeared  on  the  lee  bow ;  when  within  half  a  mile  of  it  he 
ordered  the  schooner  to  be  hove-to,  and  lowered  down  the 
small  boat  from  the  stern.  He  then  turned  the  hands  up. 
"  My  lads,  we  must  keep  our  promise,  to  put  Francisco  on 
shore  at  the  first  land  which  we  made.  There  it  is  ! "  And 
a  malicious  smile  played  on  the  miscreant's  features  as  he 
pointed  out  to  them  the  barren  sand-bank,  which  promised 
nothing  but  starvation  and  a  lingering  death.  Several  of  the 
crew  murmured ;  but  Hawkhurst  was  supported  by  his  own 
75 


THE   PIRATE 

party,  and  had,  moreover,  taken  the  precaution  quietly  to 
remove  all  the  arms,  with  the  exception  of  those  with  which 
his  adherents  were  provided. 

"  An  agreement  is  an  agreement ;  it  is  what  he  requested 
himself,  and  we  promised  to  perform.  Send  for  Francisco." 

"I  am  here,  Hawkhurst ;  and  I  tell  you  candidly,  that, 
desolate  as  is  that  barren  spot,  I  prefer  it  to  remaining  in 
your  company.  I  will  bring  my  chest  up  immediately." 

"  No — no ;  that  was  not  a  part  of  the  agreement,"  cried 
Hawkhurst. 

"  Every  man  here  has  a  right  to  his  own  property.  I 
appeal  to  the  whole  of  the  crew." 

"  True — true,"  replied  the  pirates  ;  and  Hawkhurst  found 
himself  again  in  the  minority. 

"  Be  it  so." 

The  chest  of  Francisco  was  handed  into  the  boat. 

"  Is  that  all  ?  "  cried  Hawkhurst. 

"  My  lads,  am  I  to  have  no  provisions  or  water  ?  "  inquired 
Francisco. 

"  No,"  replied  Hawkhurst. 

"  Yes — yes,"  cried  most  of  the  pirates. 

Hawkhurst  did  not  dare  put  it  to  the  vote ;  he  turned 
sulkily  away.  The  Kroumen  brought  up  two  breakers  of 
water,  and  some  pieces  of  pork. 

"  Here,  massa,"  said  Pompey,  putting  into  Francisco's  hand 
a  fishing-line  with  hooks. 

"  Thank  you,  Pompey  ;  but  I  had  forgot — that  book  in  the 
cabin — you  know  which  I  mean." 

Pompey  nodded  his  head,  and  went  below ;  but  it  was 
some  time  before  he  returned,  during  which  Hawkhurst 
became  impatient.  It  was  a  very  small  boat  which  had  been 
lowered  down  ;  it  had  a  lug-sail  and  two  pair  of  sculls  in  it, 
and  was  quite  full  when  Francisco's  chest  and  the  other 
articles  had  been  put  in. 

"  Come  !  I  have  no  time  to  wait,"  said  Hawkhurst ;  "  in 
the  boat ! " 

76  \ 


THE  CAPTURE 

Francisco  shook  hands  with  many  of  the  crew,  and  wished 
all  of  them  farewell.  Indeed,  now  that  they  beheld  the 
poor  lad  about  to  be  cast  on  a  desolate  island,  even  those 
most  opposed  to  him  felt  some  emotions  of  pity.  Although 
they  acknowledged  that  his  absence  was  necessary,  yet  they 
knew  his  determined  courage;  and  with  them  that  quality 
was  al \vays\a  strong  appeal. 

"  Who  will  row  this  lad  ashore,  and  bring  the  boat  off? " 

"Not  I,"  replied  one;  "it  would  haunt  me  ever  after- 
wards." 

So  they  all  appeared  to  think,  for  no  one  volunteered. 
Francisco  jumped  into  the  boat. 

"  There  is  no  room  for  any  one  but  me ;  and  I  will  rov/ 
myself  on  shore,"  cried  he.  "  Farewell,  my  lads  !  farewell  !  " 

"Stop!  not  so;  he  must  not  have  the  boat  —  he  may 
escape  from  the  island,"  cried  Hawkhurst. 

"And  why  shouldn't  he,  poor  fellow?"  replied  the  men. 
"  Let  him  have  the  boat." 

"Yes — yes,  let  him  have  the  boat;"  and  Hawkhurst  was 
again  overruled. 

"  Here,  Massa  Francisco — here  de  book." 

"  What's  that,  sir  ?  "  cried  Hawkhurst,  snatching  the  book 
out  of  Pompey's  hand. 

"  Him,  massa,  Bible."     Francisco  waited  for  the  book. 

"Shove  off!"  cried  Hawkhurst. 

"  Give  me  my  book,  Mr.  Hawkhurst !  " 

"  No  !  "  replied  the  malignant  rascal,  tossing  the  Bible  over 
the  taffrail  ;  "  he  shall  not  have  that.  I've  heard  say  that 
there  is  consolation  in  it  for  the  afflicted." 

Francisco  shoved  off  his  boat,  and  seizing  his  sculls,  pushed 
astern,  picked  up  the  book,  which  still  floated,  and  laid  it  to 
dry  on  the  after-thwart  of  the  boat.  He  then  pulled  in  for 
the  shore.  In  the  meantime  the  schooner  had  let  draw  her 
fore-sheet,  and  had  already  left  him  a  quarter  of  a  mile 
astern.  Before  Francisco  had  gained  the  sand-bank  she  was 
hull-down  to  the  northward. 

77 


THE   PIRATE 
CHAPTER  X 

THE    SAND-BANK 

_l  HE  first  half-hour  that  Francisco  was  on  this  desolate  spot 
he  watched  the  receding  schooner ;  his  thoughts  -were  un- 
connected and  vague.  Wandering  through  the  various  scenes 
which  had  passed  on  the  decks  of  that  vessel,  and  recalling 
to  his  memory  the  different  characters  of  those  on  board 
of  her,  much  as  he  had  longed  to  quit  her — disgusted  as  he 
had  been  with  those  with  whom  he  had  been  forced  to 
associate — still,  as  her  sails  grew  fainter  and  fainter  to  his 
view,  as  she  increased  her  distance,  he  more  than  once  felt 
that  even  remaining  on  board  of  her  would  have  been  pre- 
ferable to  his  present  deserted  lot.  "  No,  no  !  "  exclaimed 
he,  after  a  little  further  reflection,  "  I  had  rather  perish  here, 
than  continue  to  witness  the  scenes  which  I  have  been 
forced  to  behold." 

He  once  more  fixed  his  eyes  upon  her  white  sails,  and 
then  sat  down  on  the  loose  sands,  and  remained  in  deep  and 
melancholy  reverie  until  the  scorching  heat  reminded  him 
of  his  situation  ;  he  afterwards  rose  and  turned  his  thoughts 
upon  his  present  situation,  and  to  what  would  be  the 
measures  most  advisable  to  take.  He  hauled  his  little  boat 
still  farther  on  the  beach,  and  attached  the  painter  to  one 
of  the  oars,  which  he  fixed  deep  in  the  sand  ;  he  then  pro- 
ceeded to  survey  the  bank,  and  found  that  but  a  small  portion 
was  uncovered  at  high  water;  for,  trifling  as  was  the  rise 
of  the  tide,  the  bank  was  so  low  that  the  water  flowed  almost 
over  it.  The  most  elevated  part  was  not  more  than  fifteen 
feet  above  high-water  mark,  and  that  was  a  small  knoll  of 
about  fifty  feet  in  circumference. 

To  this  part  he  resolved  to  remove  his  effects ;  he  returned 
to  the  boat,  and  having  lifted  out  his  chest,  the  water,  the 
provisions,  with  the  other  articles  which  he  had  obtained,  he 
78 


THE  SAND-BANK 

dragged  them  up,  one  by  one,  until  they  were  all  collected 
at  the  spot  he  had  chosen.  He  then  took  out  of  the  boat 
the  oars  and  little  sail,  which,  fortunately,  had  remained  in 
her.  His  last  object,  to  haul  the  little  boat  up  to  the  same 
spot,  was  one  which  demanded  all  his  exertion  ;  but,  after 
considerable  fatigue,  he  contrived,  by  first  lifting  round  her 
bow,  and  then  her  stern,  to  effect  his  object. 

Tired  and  exhausted,  he  then  repaired  to  one  of  the 
breakers  of  water  and  refreshed  himself.  The  heat,  as  the 
day  advanced,  had  become  intolerable  ;  but  it  stimulated  him 
to  fresh  exertion.  He  turned  over  the  boat,  and  contrived 
that  the  bow  and  stern  should  rest  upon  two  little  hillocks, 
so  as  to  raise  it  above  the  level  of  the  sand  beneath  it  two 
or  three  feet ;  he  spread  out  the  sail  from  the  keel  above, 
with  the  thole-pins  as  pegs,  so  as  to  keep  off  the  rays  of  the 
sun.  Dragging  the  breakers  of  water  and  the  provisions 
underneath  the  boat,  he  left  his  chest  outside  ;  and  having 
thus  formed  for  himself  a  sort  of  covering  which  would 
protect  him  from  the  heat  of  the  day  and  the  damp  of  the 
night,  he  crept  in  to  shelter  himself  until  the  evening. 

Although  Francisco  had  not  been  on  deck,  he  knew  pretty 
well  whereabouts  he  then  was.  Taking  out  a  chart  from  his 
chest,  he  examined  the  coast  to  ascertain  the  probable  dis- 
tance which  he  might  be  from  any  prospect  of  succour.  He 
calculated  that  he  was  on  one  of  a  patch  of  sand-banks  off 
the  coast  of  Loango,  and  about  seven  hundred  miles  from 
the  Isle  of  St.  Thomas — the  nearest  place  where  he  might 
expect  to  fall  in  with  a  European  face.  From  the  coast 
he  felt,  certain  that  he  could  not  be  more  than  forty  or 
fifty  miles  at  the  most ;  but  could  he  trust  himself  among 
the  savage  natives  who  inhabited  it  ?  He  knew  how  ill 
they  had  been  treated  by  Europeans ;  for,  at  that  period, 
it  was  quite  as  common  for  the  slave-trader  to  land  and 
take  away  the  inhabitants  as  slaves  by  force,  as  to  pur- 
chase them  in  the  more  northern  territories :  still,  he 
might  be  fortunate  enough  to  fall  in  with  some  trader  on 
79 


THE   PIRATE 

the  coast,  as  there  were  a  few  who  still  carried  on  a  barter 
for  gold-dust  and  ivory. 

We  do  not  know — we  cannot  conceive  a  situation  much 
more  deplorable  than  the  one  we  have  just  described  to  have 
been  that  of  Francisco.  Alone — without  a  chance  of  assist- 
ance— with  only  a  sufficiency  of  food  for  a  few  days,  and  cut 
off  from  the  rest  of  his  fellow-creatures,  with  only  so  much 
terra  jirma  as  would  prevent  his  being  swallowed  up  by  the 
vast,  unfathomable  ocean,  into  which  the  horizon  fell  on  every 
side  around  him !  And  his  chance  of  escape  how  small  ! 
Hundreds  of  miles  from  any  from  whom  he  might  expect 
assistance,  and  the  only  means  of  reaching  them  a  small  boat 
— a  mere  cockle-shell,  which  the  first  rough  gale  would 
inevitably  destroy. 

Such,  indeecj,  were  the  first  thoughts  of  Francisco ;  but 
he  soon  recovered  from  his  despondency.  He  was  young, 
courageous,  and  buoyant  with  hope ;  and  there  is  a  feeling 
of  pride — of  trust  in  our  own  resources  and  exertions,  which 
increases  and  stimulates  us  in  proportion  to  our  danger  and 
difficulty ;  it  is  the  daring  of  the  soul  proving  its  celestial 
origin  and  eternal  duration. 

So  intense  was  the  heat  that  Francisco  almost  panted  for 
sufficient  air  to  support  life,  as  he  lay  under  the  shade  of 
the  boat  during  the  whole  of  that  day  ;  not  a  breath  of  wind 
disturbed  the  glassy  wave — all  nature  appeared  hushed  into 
one  horrible  calm.  It  was  not  until  the  shades  of  night  were 
covering  the  solitude  that  Francisco  ventured  forth  from  his 
retreat ;  but  he  found  little  relief ;  there  was  an  unnatural 
closeness  in  the  air — a  suffocation  unusual  even  in  those  climes. 
Francisco  cast  his  eyes  up  to  the  vault  of  heaven,  and  was 
astonished  to  find  that  there  were  no  stars  visible — a  grey  mist 
covered  the  whole  firmament.  He  directed  his  view  down- 
wards to  the  horizon,  and  that,  too,  was  not  to  be  defined ;  there 
was  a  dark  bank  all  around  it.  He  walked  to  the  edge  of  the 
sand-bank ;  there  was  not  even  a  ripple — the  wide  ocean  ap- 
peared to  be  in  a  trance,  in  a  state  of  lethargy  or  stupor. 
80 


THE  SAND-BANK 

He  parted  the  hair  from  his  feverish  brow,  and  once  more 
surveying  the  horrible,  lifeless,  stagnant  waste,  his  soul 
sickened,  and  he  cast  himself  upon  the  sand.  There  he  lay 
for  many  hours  in  a  state  bordering  upon  wikl  despair.  At 
last  he  recovered  himself,  and,  rising  to  his  knees,  he  prayed 
for  strength  and  submission  to  the  will  of  Heaven. 

When  he  was  once  more  upon  his  feet,  and  had  again 
scanned  the  ocean,  he  perceived  that  there  was  a  change 
rapidly  approaching.  The  dark  bank  on  the  horizon  had 
now  risen  higher  up ;  the  opaqueness  was  everywhere  more 
dense ;  and  low  murmurs  were  heard  as  if  there  was  wind 
stirring  aloft,  although  the  sea  was  still  glassy  as  a  lake. 
Signs  of  some  movement  about  to  take  place  were  evident, 
and  the  solitary  youth  watched  and  watched.  And  now  the 
sounds  increased,  and  here  and  there  a  wild  thread  of  air — 
whence  coming,  who  could  tell  ?  and  as  rapidly  disappearing 
— would  ruffle,  for  a  second,  a  portion  of  the  stagnant  sea. 
Then  came  whizzing  sounds  and  moans,  and  then  the 
rumbling  noise  of  distant  thunder — loud  and  louder  yet — 
still  louder — a  broad  black  line  is  seen  sweeping  along  the 
expanse  of  water — fearful  in  its  rapidity  it  comes!  — and  the 
hurricane  burst,  at  once  and  with  all  its  force,  and  all  its 
terrific  sounds,  upon  the  isolated  Francisco. 

The  first  blast  was  so  powerful  and  so  unexpected  that  it 
threw  him  down,  and  prudence  dictated  to  him  to  remain  in 
that  position,  for  the  loose  sand  was  swept  off  and  whirled  in 
such  force  as  to  blind  and  prevent  his  seeing  a  foot  from  him  ; 
he  would  have  crawled  to  the  boat  for  security,  but  he  knew 
not  in  which  direction  to  proceed.  But  this  did  not  last  ; 
for  now  the  water  was  borne  up  upon  the  strong  wings  of  the 
hurricane,  and  the  sand  was  rendered  firm  by  its  saturation 
with  the  element. 

Francisco   felt  that  he  was   drenched,  and  he  ivised  his 

head.      All  he  could  discover  was,  that  the  firmament  was 

mantled  with  darkness,  horrible  from  its  intensity,  and  that 

the  sea  was  in  one  extended  foam — boiling  everywhere,  and 

81  F 


THE   PIRATE 

white  as  milk — but  still  smooth,  as  if  the  power  of  the  wind 
had  compelled  it  to  be  so ;  but  the  water  had  encroached, 
and  one  half  Ihe  sand-bank  was  covered  with  it,  while  over 
the  other  the  foam  whirled,  each  portion  chasing  the  other 
with  wild  rapidity. 

And  now  the  windows  of  heaven  were  opened,  and  the 
rain,  mingled  with  the  spray  caught  up  by  the  hurricane, 
was  dashed  and  hurled  npon  the  forlorn  youth,  who  still  lay 
where  he  had  been  first  thrown  down.  But  of  a  sudden,  a 
wash  of  water  told  him  that  he  could  there  remain  no  longer  : 
the  sea  was  rising — rising  fast ;  and  before  he  could  gain  a 
few  paces  on  his  hands  and  knees,  another  wave,  as  if  it 
chased  him  in  its  wrath,  repeated  the  warning  of  his  extreme 
danger,  and  he  was  obliged  to  rise  on  his  feet  and  hasten  to 
the  high  part  of  the  sand-bank,  where  he  had  drawn  up  his 
boat  and  his  provisions. 

Blinded  as  he  was  by  the  rain  and  spray,  he  could  dis- 
tinguish nothing.  Of  a  sudden  he  fell  violently ;  he  had 
stumbled  over  one  of  the  breakers  of  water,  and  his  head 
struck  against  his  sea-chest.  Where,  then,  was  the  'boat  ? 
It  was  gone  ! — it  must  have  been  swept  away  by  the  fury  of 
the  wind.  Alas,  then  all  chance  was  over  !  and  if  not  washed 
away  by  the  angry  waters,  he  had  but  to  prolong  his  exist- 
ence but  a  few  days,  and  then  to  die.  The  effect  of  the 
blow  he  had  received  on  his  forehead,  with  the  shock  of 
mind  occasioned  by  the  disappearance  of  the  boat,  over- 
powered him,  and  he  remained  for  some  time  in  a  state  of 
insensibility. 

When  Francisco  recovered,  the  scene  was  again  changed  : 
the  wide  expanse  was  now  in  a  state  of  wild  and  fearful  com- 
motion, and  the  waters  roared  as  loud  as  did  the  hurricane. 
The  whole  sand-bank,  with  the  exception  of  that  part  on 
which  he  stood,  was  now  covered  with  tumultuous  foam,  and 
his  place  of  refuge  was  occasionally  invaded,  when  some  vast 
mass,  o'erlording  the  other  waves,  expended  all  its  fury  even 
to  his  feet.  Francisco  prepared  to  die  ! 
82 


THE  SAND-BANK 

But  gradually  the  darkness  of  the  heavens  disappeared, 
and  there  was  no  longer  a  bank  upon  the  horizon,  and 
Francisco  hoped  — -  alas  !  hoped  what  ? — that  he  might  be 
saved  from  the  present  impending  death  to  be  reserved  for 
one  still  more  horrible  ;  to  be  saved  from  the  fury  of  the 
waves,  which  would  swallow  him  up,  and  in  a  few  seconds 
remove  him  from  all  pain  and  suffering,  to  perish  for  want 
of  sustenance  under  a  burning  sun  ;  to  be  withered — to  be 
parched  to  death — calling  in  his  agonv  for  water ;  and  as 
Francisco  thought  of  this  he  covered  his  face  with  his  hands, 
and  prayed,  "  O  God,  Thy  will  be  done  !  but  in  Thy  mercy, 
raise,  still  higher  raise  the  waters  ! " 

But  the  waters  did  not  rise  higher.  The  howling  of  the 
wind  gradually  decreased,  and  the  foaming  seas  had  obeyed 
the  Divine  injunction — they  had  gone  so  far,  but  no  farther ! 
And  the  day  dawned,  and  the  sky  cleared  ;  and  the  first  red 
tints,  announcing  the  return  of  light  and  heat,  had  appeared 
on  the  broken  horizon,  when  the  eyes  of  the  despairing  youth 
were  directed  to  a  black  mass  on  the  tumultuous  waters.  It 
was  a  vessel,  with  but  one  mast  standing,  rolling  heavily,  and 
running  before  the  gale  right  on  for  the  sand-bank  where  he 
stood;  her  hull,  one  moment  borne  aloft  and  the  next  dis- 
appearing from  his  view  in  the  hollow  of  the  agitated  waters. 
"She  will  be  dashed  to  pieces!"  thought  Francisco;  "she 
will  be  lost! — they  cannot  seethe  bank!"  And  he  would 
have  made  a  signal  to  her,  if  he  had  been  able,  to  warn 
her  of  her  danger,  forgetting  at  the  time  his  own  desolate 
situation. 

As  Francisco  watched,  the  sun  rose  bright  and  joyous  over 
this  scene  of  anxiety  and  pain.  On  came  the  vessel  flying 
before  the  gale,  while  the  seas  chased  her  as  if  they  would 
fain  overwhelm  her.  It  was  fearful  to  see  her  scud — agonis- 
ing to  know  that  she  was  rushing  to  destruction. 

At  last  he  could  distinguish  those  on  board.  He  waved 
his  hand,  but  they  perceived  him  not ;  he  shouted,  but  his 
voice  was  borne  away  by  the  gale.  On  came  the  vessel,  as 


THE    PIRATE 

if  doomed.  She  was  within  two  cables'  length  of  the  bank 
when  those  011  board  perceived  their  danger.  It  was  too 
late  ! — -they  had  rounded  her  to — another,  and  another  wave 
hurled  her  towards  the  sand.  She  struck  ! — her  only  re- 
maining mast  fell  over  the  side,  and  the  roaring  waves 
hastened  to  complete  their  work  of  destruction  and  of 
death  ! 


CHAPTER  XI 

THE    ESCAPE 

Jc  RANCISCO'S  eyes  were  fixed  upon  the  vessel,  over  which 
the  sea  now  broke  with  terrific  violence.  There  appeared 
to  be  about  eight  or  nine  men  on  her  deck,  who  sheltered 
themselves  under  the  weather  bulwarks.  Each  wave,  as  it 
broke  against  her  side  and  then  dashed  in  foam  over  her, 
threw  her,  with  a  convulsive  jerk,  still  further  on  the  sand- 
bank. At  last  she  was  so  high  up  that  their  fury  was  partly 
spent  before  they  dashed  against  her  frame.  Had  the  vessel 
been  strong  and  well-built—had  she  been  a  collier  coasting 
the  English  shores — there  was  a  fair  chance  that  she  might 
have  withstood  the  fury  of  the  storm  until  it  had  subsided,  and 
that  by  remaining  on  board  the  crew  might  have  survived  ; 
but  she  was  of  a  very  different  mould,  and,  as  Francisco 
justly  surmised,  an  American  brig,  built  for  swift  sailing,  very 
sharp,  and,  moreover,  very  slightly  put  together. 

Francisco's  eyes,  as  may  easily  be  supposed,  were  never 
removed  from  the  only  object  which  could  now  interest  him 
— the  unexpected  appearance  and  imminent  danger  of  his 
fellow-creatures  at  this  desolate  spot.  He  perceived  that 
two  of  the  men  went  to  the  hatches  and  slid  them  over  to 
leeward ;  they  then  descended,  and  although  the  seas  broke 
over  the  vessel,  and  a  large  quantity  of  water  must  have 
poured  into  her,  the  hatches  were  not  put  on  again  by  those 
who  remained  on  deck.  But  in  a  few  minutes  this  mystery 
84 


THE  ESCAPE 

was  solved ;  one  after  another,  at  first,  and  then  by  dozens, 
poured  forth,  out  of  the  hold,  the  kidnapped  Africans  who 
composed  her  cargo.  In  a  short  time  the  decks  were  covered 
Avith  them  :  the  poor  creatures  had  been  released  by  the 
humanity  of  two  English  sailors,  that  they  might  have  the 
same  chance  with  themselves  of  saving  their  lives.  Still,  no 
attempt  was  made  to  quit  the  vessel.  Huddled  together, 
like  a  flock  of  sheep,  with  the  wild  waves  breaking  over 
them,  there  they  all  remained,  both  European  and  African  ; 
;;nd  as  the  heavy  blows  of  the  seas  upon  the  sides  of  the 
vessel  careened  and  shook  her,  they  were  seen  to  cling,  in 
every  direction,  with  no  distinction  between  the  captured 
and  their  oppressors. 

But  this  scene  was  soon  changed  ;  the  frame  of  the  vessel 
could  no  longer  withstand  the  violence  of  the  waves,  and  as 
Francisco  watched,  of  a  sudden  it  was  seen  to  divide  amid- 
ships, and  each  portion  to  turn  over.  Then  was  the  struggle 
for  life  ;  hundreds  were  floating  on  the  raging  element  and 
wrestling  for  existence,  and  the  white  foam  of  the  ocean  was 
dotted  by  the  black  heads  of  the  negroes  who  attempted  to 
gain  the  bank.  It  was  an  awful,  terrible  scene,  to  witness 
so  many  at  one  moment  tossed  and  dashed  about  by  the 
waves — so  many  fellow-beings  threatened  with  eternity.  At 
one  moment  they  were  close  to  the  beach,  forced  on  to  it 
by  some  tremendous  wave ;  at  the  next,  the  receding  water 
and  the  undertow  swept  them  all  back  ;  and  of  the  many 
who  had  been  swimming  one  half  had  disappeared  to  rise  no 
more.  Francisco  watched  with  agony  as  he  perceived  that 
the  number  decreased,  and  that  none  had  yet  gained  the 
shore.  At  last  he  snatched  up  the  haulyards  of  his  boat's 
sail  which  were  near  him,  and  hastened  down  to  the  spot  to 
afford  such  succour  as  might  be  possible ;  nor  were  his  efforts 
in  vain.  As  the  seas  washed  the  apparently  inanimate  bodies 
on  shore,  and  would  then  have  again  swept  them  away  to 
return  them  in  mockery,  he  caught  hold  of  them  and 
dragged  them  safe  on  the  bank,  and  thus  did  he  continue 
85 


THE   PIRATE 

his  exertions  until  fifteen  of  the  bodies  of  the  negroes  were 
spread  upon  the  beach.  Although  exhausted  and  senseless 
they  were  not  dead,  and  long  before  he  had  dragged  up  the 
last  of  the  number,  many  of  those  previously  saved  had, 
without  any  other  assistance  than  the  heat  of  the  sun, 
recovered  from  their  insensibility. 

Francisco  would  have  continued  his  task  of  humanity,  but 
the  parted  vessel  had  now  been  riven  into  fragments  by  the 
force  of  the  waves,  and  the  whole  beach  was  strewed  with 
her  timbers  and  her  stores,  which  were  dashed  on  shore  by 
the  waters,  and  then  swept  back  again  by  the  return.  In  a 
short  time  the  severe  blows  he  received  from  these  fragments 
disabled  him  from  further  exertion,  and  he  sank  exhausted 
on  the  sand  ;  indeed,  all  further  attempts  were  useless.  All 
on  board  the  vessel  had  been  launched  into  the  sea  at  the 
same  moment,  and  those  who  were  not  now  on  shore  were 
past  all  succour.  Francisco  walked  up  to  those  who  had 
been  saved  :  he  found  twelve  of  them  were  recovered  and 
sitting  on  their  hams  ;  the  rest  were  still  in  a  state  of  insensi- 
bility. He  then  went  up  to  the  knoll  where  his  chest  and 
provisions  had  been  placed,  and,  throwing  himself  down  by 
them,  surveyed  the  scene. 

The  wind  had  lulled,  the  sun  shone  brightly,  and  the  sea 
was  much  less  violent.  The  waves  had  subsided,  and,  no 
longer  hurried  on  by  the  force  of  the  hurricane,  broke 
majestically  and  solemnly,  but  not  with  the  wildness  and 
force  which,  but  a  few  hours  before,  they  had  displayed. 
The  whole  of  the  beach  was  strewed  with  the  fragments  of 
the  vessel,  with  spars  and  water-casks  ;  and  at  every  moment 
was  to  be  observed  the  corpse  of  a  negro  turning  round  and 
round  in  the  froth  of  the  wave,  and  then  disappearing. 

For  an  hour  did  he  watch  and  reflect,  and  then  he  walked 
again  to  where  the  men  who  had  been  rescued  were  sitting, 
not  more  than  thirty  yards  from  him ;  they  were  sickly, 
emaciated  forms,  but  belonging  to  a  tribe  who  inhabited  the 
coast,  and  who  having  been  accustomed  from  their  infancy 
86 


THE  ESCAPE 

to  be  all  the  day  in  the  water,  had  supported  themselves 
better  than  the  other  slaves,  who  had  been  procured  from  the 
interior,  or  the  European  crew  of  the  vessel,  all  of  whom  had 
perished. 

The  Africans  appeared  to  recover  fast  by  the  heat  of  the 
sun,  so  oppressive  to  Francisco,  and  were  now  exchanging  a 
few  words  with  each  other.  The  whole  of  them  had  revived, 
but  those  who  were  most  in  need  of  aid  were  neglected  by 
the  others.  Francisco  made  signs  to  them,  but  they  under- 
stood him  not.  He  returned  to  the  knoll,  and  pouring  out 
water  into  a  tin  pan  from  the  breaker,  brought  it  down  to 
them.  He  offered  it  to  one,  who  seized  it  eagerly  ;  water 
was  a  luxury  seldom  obtained  in  the  hold  of  a  slave-vessel. 
The  man  drank  deeply,  and  would  have  drained  the  cup,  but 
Francisco  prevented  him,  and  held  it  to  the  lips  of  another. 
He  was  obliged  to  refill  it  three  times  before  they  had  all 
been  supplied:  he  then  brought  them  a  handful  of  biscuit  and 
left  them,  for  he  reflected  that,  without  some  precautions, 
the  whole  sustenance  would  be  seized  by  them  and  devoured. 
He  buried  half  a  foot  deep,  and  covered  over  with  sand,  the 
breakers  of  water  and  the  provisions,  and  by  the  time  he  had 
finished  this  task,  unperceived  by  the  negroes,  who  still 
squatted  together,  the  sun  had  sunk  below  the  horizon. 
Francisco  had  already  matured  his  plans,  which  were,  to 
form  a  raft  out  of  the  fragments  of  the  vessel,  and  with  the 
assistance  of  the  negroes  attempt  to  gain  the  mainland.  He 
lay  down,  for  the  second  night,  on  this  eventful  spot  of 
desolation,  and  commending  himself  to  the  Almighty  pro- 
tection, was  soon  in  a  deep  slumber. 

It  was  not  until  the  powerful  rays  of  the  sun  blazed  on  the 
eyes  of  the  youth  that  he  awoke,  so  tired  had  he  been  with 
the  anxiety  and  fatigue  of  the  preceding  day,  and  the  sleep- 
less harrowing  night  which  had  introduced  it.  He  rose  and 
seated  himself  upon  his  sea-chest:  how  different  was  the 
scene  from  that  of  yesterday !  Again  the  ocean  slept,  the 
sky  was  serene,  and  not  a  cloud  to  be  distinguished  through- 
87 


THE   PIRATE 

out  the  whole  firmament ;  the  horizontal  line  was  clear,  even, 
and  well  denned  :  a  soft  breeze  just  rippled  over  the  dark 
blue  sea,  which  now  had  retired  to  its  former  boundary,  and 
left  the  sand-bank  as  extended  as  when  first  Francisco  had 
been  put  on  shore.  But  here  the  beauty  of  the  landscape 
terminated :  the  foreground  was  horrible  to  look  upon  ;  the 
whole  of  the  beach  was  covered  with  the  timbers  of  the 
wreck,  with  water-casks  and  other  articles,  in  some  parts 
heaped  and  thrown  up  one  upon  another ;  and  among  them 
lay  jammed  and  mangled  the  bodies  of  the  many  who  had 
perished.  In  other  parts  there  were  corpses  thrown  up  high 
and  dry,  or  still  rolling  and  turning  to  the  rippling  wave  ;  it 
was  a  scene  of  desolation  and  of  death. 

The  negroes  who  had  been  saved  were  all  huddled  up 
together,  apparently  in  deep  sleep,  and  Francisco  quitted  his 
elevated  position  and  walked  down  to  the  low  beach,  to 
survey  the  means  which  the  disaster  of  others  afforded  him 
for  his  own  escape.  To  his  great  joy  he  found  not  only 
plenty  of  casks,  but  many  of  them  full  of  fresh  water,  pro- 
visions also  in  sufficiency,,  and,  indeed,  everything  that  could 
be  required  to  form  a  raft,  as  well  as  the  means  of  support 
for  a  considerable  time  for  himself  and  the  negroes  who  had 
survived.  He  then  walked  up  to  them  and  called  to  them, 
but  they  answered  not,  nor  even  moved.  He  pushed  them, 
but  in  vain ;  and  his  heart  beat  quick,  for  he  was  fearful  that 
they  were  dead  from  previous  exhaustion.  He  applied  his 
foot  to  one  of  them,  and  it  was  not  until  he  had  used  force, 
which  in  any  other  case  he  would  have  dispensed  with,  that 
the  negro  awoke  from  his  state  of  lethargy  and  looked 
vacantly  about  him.  Francisco  had  some  little  knowledge  of 
the  language  of  the  Kroumen,  and  he  addressed  the  negro 
in  that  tongue.  To  his  great  joy  he  was  answered  in  a 
language  which,  if  not  the  same,  had  so  great  an  affinity  to 
it  that  communication  became  easy.  With  the  assistance  of 
the  negro,  who  used  still  less  ceremony  with  his  comrades,  the 
remainder  of  them  were  awakened,  and  a  palaver  ensued. 
88 


THE  ESCAPE 

Francisco  soon  made  them  understand  that  they  were  to 
make  a  raft  and  go  back  to  their  own  country  ;  explaining  to 
them  that  if  they  remained  there,  the  water  and  provisions 
would  soon  be  exhausted,  and  they  would  all  perish.  The 
poor  creatures  hardly  knew  whether  to  consider  him  a  super- 
natural being  or  not ;  they  talked  among  themselves ;  they 
remarked  at  his  having  brought  them  fresh  water  the  day 
before ;  they  knew  that  he  did  not  belong  to  the  vessel  in 
which  they  had  been  wrecked,  and  they  were  puzzled. 

Whatever  might  be  their  speculations  they  had  one  good 
effect,  which  was,  that  they  looked  upon  the  youth  as  a 
superior  and  a  friend,  and  most  willingly  obeyed  him.  He 
led  them  up  to  the  knoll,  and,  desiring  them  to  scrape  away 
the  sand,  supplied  them  again  with  fresh  water  and  biscuit. 
Perhaps  the  very  supply,  and  the  way  in  which  it  was  given 
to  them,  excited  their  astonishment  as  much  as  anything. 
Francisco  ate  with  them,  and,  selecting  from  his  sea-chest 
the  few  tools  in  his  possession,  desired  them  to  follow  him. 
The  casks  were  collected  and  rolled  up ;  the  empty  ones 
arranged  for  the  raft ;  the  spars  were  hauled  up  and  cleared 
of  the  rigging,  which  was  carefully  separated  for  lashings ; 
the  one  or  two  sails  which  had  been  found  rolled  up  on  the 
spars  were  spread  out  to  dry ;  and  the  provisions  and  articles 
of  clothing,  which  might  be  useful,  laid  together  on  one  side. 
The  negroes  worked  willingly  and  showed  much  intelligence; 
before  the  evening  closed  everything  which  might  be  avail- 
able was  secured,  and  the  waves  now  only  tossed  about  lifeless 
forms,  and  the  small  fragments  of  timber  which  could  not  be 
serviceable. 

It  would  occupy  too  much  time  were  we  to  detail  all  the 
proceedings  of  Francisco  and  the  negroes  for  the  space  of 
four  days,  during  which  they  laboured  hard.  Necessity  is 
truly  the  mother  of  invention,  and  many  were  the  ingenious 
resources  of  the  party  before  they  could  succeed  in  forming 
a  raft  large  enough  to  carry  them  and  their  provisions,  with 
a  mast  and  sail  well  secured.  At  length  it  was  accomplished; 
8'J. 


THE  PIRATE 

and  on  the  fifth  day  Francisco  and  his  men  embarked,  and, 
having  pushed  clear  of  the  bank  with  poles,  they  were  at 
last  able  to  hoist  their  sail  to  a  fine  breeze,  and  steer  for  the 
coast  before  the  wind  at  the  rate  of  about  three  miles  an 
hour.  But  it  was  not  until  they  had  gained  half  a  mile  from 
the  bank  that  they  were  no  longer  annoyed  by  the  dreadful 
smell  arising  from  the  putrefaction  of  so  many  bodies,  for  to 
bury  them  all  would  have  been  a  work  of  too  great  time. 
The  last  two  days  of  their  remaining  on  the  island,  the, 
effluvia  had  become  so  powerful  as  to  be  a  source  of  the 
greatest  horror  and  disgust  even  to  the  negroes. 

But  before  night,  when  the  raft  was"  about  eight  leagues 
from  the  sand-bank,  it  fell  calm,  and  continued  so  for  the 
next  day,  when  a  breeze  sprang  up  from  the  south-east,  to 
which  they  trimmed  their  sail  with  their  head  to  the  north- 
ward. 

This  wind,  and  the  course  steered,  sent  them  off  from  the 
land,  but  there  was  no  help  for  it ;  and  Francisco  felt  grate- 
ful that  they  had  such  an  ample  supply  of  provisions  and 
water  as  to  enable  them  to  yield  to  a  few  days'  contrary  wind 
without  danger  of  want.  But  the  breeze  continued  steady 
and  fresh,  and  they  were  now  crossing  the  Bight  of  Benin ; 
the  weather  was  fine  and  the  sea  smooth  ;  the  flying-fish  rose 
in  shoals  and  dropped  down  into  the  raft,  which  still  forced 
its  way  through  the  water  to  the  northward. 

Thus  did  Francisco  and  his  negro  crew  remain  for  a  fort- 
night floating  on  the  wide  ocean,  without  any  object  meeting 
their  view.  Day  after  day  it  was  the  same  dreary  "  sky  and 
water,"  and  by  the  reckoning  of  Francisco  they  could  not  be 
far  from  the  land,  when,  on  the  fifteenth  day,  they  perceived 
two  sail  to  the  northward. 

Francisco's  heart  bounded  with  joy  and  gratitude  to 
Heaven ;  he  had  no  telescope  to  examine  them,  but  he 
steered  directly  for  them,  and,  about  dark,  he  made  them 
out  to  be  a  ship  and  a  schooner  hove-to. 

As  Francisco  scanned  them,  surmising  what  they  might  be., 
90 


THE  ESCAPE 

the  sun  set  behind  the  two  vessels,  and  after  it  had  sunk 
below  the  horizon  their  forms  were,  for  a  few  minutes, 
delineated  with  remarkable  precision  and  clearness.  There 
could  be  no  mistake.  Francisco  felt  convinced  that  the 
schooner  was  the  Avenger ;  and  his  first  impulse  was  to  run 
to  the  sweep  with  which  they  were  steered,  and  put  the 
head  of  the  raft  again  to  the  northward.  A  moment's 
reflection  determined  him  to  act  otherwise ;  he  lowered 
down  his  sail  that  he  might  escape  observation,  and  watched 
the  motions  of  the  vessels  during  the  few  minutes  of  light 
which  remained.  That  the  ship  had  been  captured,  and 
that  her  capture  had  been  attended  with  the  usual  scene  of 
outrage  and  violence,  he  had  no  doubt.  He  Avas  now  about 
four  miles  from  them,  and  just  as  they  were  vanishing  from 
his  straining  eyes  he  perceived  that  the  schooner  had  made 
all  sail  to  the  westward.  Francisco,  feeling  that  he  was  then 
secure  from  being  picked  up  by  her,  again  hoisted  his  sail 
with  the  hope  of  reaching  the  ship,  which,  if  not  scuttled,  he 
intended  to  remove  on  board  of,  and  then  make  sail  for  the 
first  port  on  the  coast.  But  hardly  had  the  raft  regained  her 
way  when  the  horizon  was  lighted  up,  and  he  perceived  that 
the  pirates  had  set  fire  to  the  vessel.  Then  it  was  useless  to 
proceed  towards  her  ;  and  Francisco  again  thought  of  putting 
the  head  of  the  raft  to  the  northward,  when  the  idea  struck 
him,  knowing  the  character  and  cruelty  of  the  pirates,  that 
there  might  be  some  unfortunate  people  left  on  board  to 
perish  in  the  flames.  He  therefore  continued  his  course, 
watching  the  burning  vessel  ;  the  flames  increased  in  violence, 
mounting  up  to  the  masts  and  catching  the  sails  one  after 
another.  The  wind  blew  fresh,  and  the  vessel  was  kept 
before  the  wind — a  circumstance  that  assured  Francisco  that 
there  were  people  on  board.  At  first  she  appeared  to  leave 
the  raft,  but  as  her  sails,  one  after  another,  were  consumed 
by  the  element,  so  did  she  decrease  her  speed,  and  Francisco, 
in  about  an  hour,  was  close  to  her  and  under  her  counter. 
The  ship  was  now  one  mass  of  fire  from  her  bows  to  her 


THE   PIRATE 

mainmast;  a  volume  of  flame  poured  from  her  main  hold, 
rising  higher  than  her  lower  masts,  and  ending  in  a  huge 
mass  of  smoke  carried  by  the  wind  ahead  of  her  ;  the  quarter- 
deck was  still  free  from  fire,  but  the  heat  on  it  was  so  intense 
that  those  on  board  were  all  collected  at  the  taffrail ;  and 
there  they  remained,  some  violent,  others  in  mute  despair ; 
for  the  Avengers  people,  in  their  barbarity,  had  cut  away  and 
destroyed  all  the  boats  to  prevent  their  escape.  From  the 
light  thrown  round  the  vessel  those  on  board  had  perceived 
the  approach  of  Francisco  to  their  rescue,  and  immediately 
that  it  was  under  the  counter,  and  the  sail  lowered,  almost 
all  of  them  had  descended  by  ropes,  or  the  stern  ladder,  and 
gained  a  place  in  her.  In  a  few  minutes,  without  scarcely 
an  exchange  of  a  word,  they  were  all  out  of  the  brig,  and 
Francisco  pushed  off  just  as  the  flames  burst  from  the  cabin 
windows,  darting  out  in  a  horizontal  line  like  the  tongues  of 
fiery  serpents.  The  raft,  now  encumbered  with  twelve  more 
persons,  was  then  steered  to  the  northward ;  and  as  soon  as 
those  who  had  been  saved  had  been  supplied  with  some 
water,  which  they  so  much  -needed,  Francisco  obtained  the 
intelligence  which  he  desired.  The  ship  was  from  Cartha- 
gena,  South  America ;  had  sailed  from  thence  to  Lisbon  with 
a  Don  Cumanos,  who  had  large  property  up  the  Magdalen 
river.  He  had  wished  to  visit  a  part  of  his  family  at  Lisbon, 
and  from  thence  had  sailed  to  the  Canary  Isles,  where  he 
also  had  property.  In  their  way  from  Lisbon  to  South 
America  they  had  been  beaten  by  stress  of  weather  to  the 
southward,  and  afterwards  had  been  chased  by  the  Avenger; 
being  a  very  fast  sailer  she  had  run  down  several  degrees 
before  she  had  been  captured.  When  the  pirate  took 
possession,  and  found  that  she  had  little  or  no  cargo  of  value 
to  them,  for  her  hold  was  chiefly  filled  with  furniture  and 
other  articles  for  the  use  of  Don  Cumanos,  angry  at  their 
disappointment,  they  had  first  destroyed  all  their  boats  and 
tlien  set  fire  to  the  vessel,  taking  care  not  to  leave  her  until 
all  chance  of  the  fire  being  put  out  was  hopeless.  And  thus 
92 


THE  LIEUTENANT 

had  these  miscreants  left  innocent  and  unfortunate  people 
to  perish. 

Francisco  heard  the  narrative  of  Don  Cumanos,  and  then 
informed  him  in  what  manner  he  had  left  the  schooner,  and 
his  subsequent  adventures.  Francisco  was  now  very  anxious 
to  make  the  land,  or  obtain  succour  from  some  vessel.  The 
many  who  were  now  on  board,  and  the  time  that  he  had 
already  been  at  sea,  obliged  him  to  reduce  the  allowance  of 
water.  Fortune  favoured  him  after  all  his  trials;  on  the 
third  day  a  vessel  hove  in  sight,  and  they  were  seen  by 
her.  She  made  sail  for  them,  and  took  them  all  on  board. 
It  was  a  schooner  trafficking  on  the  coast  for  gold-dust 
and  ivory ;  but  the  magnificent  offers  of  Don  Cumanos  in- 
duced them  to  give  up  their  voyage  and  run  across  the 
Atlantic  to  Carthagena.  To  Francisco  it  was  of  little 
moment  where  he  went,  and  in  Don  Cumanos  he  had  found 
a  sincere  friend. 

"  You  have  been  my  preserver,"  said  the  Spaniard,  "  allow 
me  to  return  the  obligation — come  and  live  with  me." 

As  Francisco  was  equally  pleased  with  Don  Cumanos,  he 
accepted  the  offer ;  they  all  arrived  safely  at  Carthagena, 
and  from  thence  proceeded  to  his  estate  on  the  Magdalen 
river. 

CHAPTER  XII 

THE    LIEUTENANT 

VV  HEN  we  last  mentioned  Edward  Templemore  we  stated 
that  he  was  a  lieutenant  of  the  admiral's  ship  on  the  West 
India  station,  commanding  the  tender.  Now  the  name  of 
the  tender  was  the  Enterprise :  and  it  was  singular  that  she 
was  one  of  two  schooners  built  at  Baltimore,  remarkable  for 
their  beauty  and  good  qualities ;  yet  how  different  were  their 
employments  !  Both  had  originally  been  built  for  the  slave- 
trade  ;  now  one  hoisted  the  English  pennant,  and  cruised 
93 


THE   PIRATE 

as  the  Enterprise;  the  other  threw  out  the  black  flag,  and 
scoured  the  seas  as  the  Avenger. 

The  Enterprise  jvas  fitted  much  in  the  same  way  as  we  have 
already  described  her  sister  vessel— that  is,  with  one  long 
brass  gun  amidships,  and  smaller  ones  for  her  broadside. 
But  in  the  numbers  of  their  crew  there  was  a  great  disparity ; 
the  Enterprise  not  being  manned  with  more  than  sixty-five 
English  sailors,  belonging  to  the  admiral's  ship.  She  was 
employed,  as  most  admiral's  tenders  usually  were,  sometimes 
carrying  a  tender  made  for  a  supply  of  provisions,  or  a 
tender  of  services,  if  required,  from  the  admiral ;  or,  if  not 
particularly  wanted,  with  the  important  charge  of  a  tender 
billet-dotuc  to  some  fair  friend.  But  this  is  a  tender  subject 
to  touch  upon.  In  the  meantime  it  must  be  understood  that 
she  had  the  same  commission  to  sink,  burn,  and  destroy,  as 
all  other  of  his  Majesty's  vessels,  if  anything  came  in  her 
way ;  but  as  she  usually  carried  despatches,  the  real  import- 
ance of  which  were,  of  course,  unknown,  she  was  not  to  go 
out  of  her  way  upon  such  service. 

Edward  Tempi emore  did,  however,  occasionally  go  a  little 
out  of  his  way,  and  had  lately  captured  a  very  fine  privateer, 
after  a  smart  action,  for  which  he  anticipated  his  promotion  ; 
but  the  admiral  thought  him  too  young,  and  therefore  gave 
the  next  vacancy  to  his  own  nephew,  who,  the  admiral  quite 
forgot,  was  much  younger. 

Edward  laughed  when  he  heard  of  it  upon  his  arrival  at 
Port  Royal ;  and  the  admiral,  who  expected  that  he  would 
make  his  appearance  pouting  with  disappointment,  when  he 
came  up  to  the  Penn  to  report  himself,  was  so  pleased  with 
his  good  humour  that  he  made  a  vow  that  Templemore 
should  have  the  next  vacancy ;  but  this  he  also  quite  forgot, 
because  Edward  happened  to  be,  at  the  time  it  occurred,  on 
a  long  cruise — and  "  out  of  sight  out  of  mind  "  is  a  proverb  so 
well  established,  that  it  may  be  urged  as  an  excuse  for  a  person 
who  had  so  many  other  things  to  think  of  as  the  admiral  en- 
trusted with  the  command  of  the  West  India  station. 
94 


THE  LIEUTENANT 

Lieutenant  Templemore  had,  in  consequence,  commanded 
the  Enterprise  for  nearly  two  years,  and  without  grumbling ; 
for  he  was  of  a  happy  disposition,  and  passed  a  very  happy 
sort  of  life.  Mr.  Witherington  was  very  indulgent  to  him, 
and  allowed  him  to  draw  liberally  ;  he  had  plenty  of  money 
for  himself  or  for  a  friend  who  required  it,  and  he  had  plenty 
of  amusement.  Amongst  other  diversions,  he  had  fallen  most 
desperately  in  love ;  for,  in  one  of  his  trips  to  the  Leeward 
Isles  (so  called  from  their  being  to  windward)  he  had  suc- 
coured a  Spanish  vessel,  which  had  on  board  the  new 
Governor  of  Porto  Rico,  with  his  family,  and  had  taken  upon 
himself  to  land  them  on  that  island  in  safety ;  for  which 
service  the  English  admiral  received  a  handsome  letter,  con- 
cluding with  the  moderate  wish  that  his  Excellency  might 
live  a  thousand  years,  and  Edward  Templemore  an  invita- 
tion to  go  and  see  them  whenever  he  might  pass  that  way ; 
which,  like  most  general  invitations,  was  as  much  a  compli- 
ment as  the  wish  which  wound  up  the  letter  to  the  admiral. 
It  did,  however,  so  happen  that  the  Spanish  governor  had 
a  very  beautiful  and  only  daughter,  carefully  guarded  by  a 
duenna,  and  a  monk  who  was  the  depositary  of  all  the  sins  of 
the  governor's  establishment ;  and  it  was  with  this  daughter 
that  Edward  Templemore  fell  into  the  heresy  of  love. 

She  was,  indeed,  very  beautiful ;  and,  like  all  her  country- 
women, was  ardent  in  her  affections.  The  few  days  that  she 
was  on  board  the  schooner  with  her  father,  during  the  time 
that  the  Enterprise  convoyed  the  Spanish  vessel  into  port, 
were  quite  sufficient  to  ignite  two  such  inflammable  beings 
as  Clara  d'Alfarez  and  Edward  Templemore.  The  monk  had 
been  left  on  board  of  the  leaky  vessel ;  there  was  no  accom- 
modation in  the  schooner  for  him  or  the  duenna,  and  Don 
Felix  de  Maxos  de  Cobas  de  Manilla  d'Alfarez  was  too  busy 
with  his  cigar  to  pay  attention  to  his  daughter. 

When  they  were  landed,  Edward  Templemore  was  .asked 
to  their  residence,  which  was  not  in  the  town,  but  at  a  lovely 
bay  on  the  south  side  of  the  island.  The  town  mansion  was 
95 


THE   PIRATE 

appropriated  to  business  and  the  ceremony  of  the  court :  it 
was  too  hot  for  a  permanent  abode,  and  the  governor  only 
went  there  for  a  few  hours  each  day. 

Edward  Templemore  remained  a  short  time  at  the  island, 
and  at  his  departure  received  the  afore-mentioned  letter 
from  the  father  to  the  English  admiral,  and  an  assurance  of 
unalterable  fidelity  from  the  daughter  to  the  English  lieu- 
tenant. On  his  return  he  presented  the  letter,  and  the 
admiral  was  satisfied  with  his  conduct. 

When  ordered  out  to  cruise,  which  he  always  was  when 
there  was  nothing  else  to  do,  he  submitted  to  the  admiral 
whether,  if  he  should  happen  to  near  Porto  Rico,  he  could 
not  leave  an  answer  to  the  Spanish  governor's  letter ;  and 
the  admiral,  who  knew  the  value  of  keeping  up  a  good 
understanding  with  foreign  relations,  took  the  hint,  and  gave 
him  one  to  deliver,  if  convenient.  The  second  meeting  was, 
as  may  be  supposed,  more  cordial  than  the  first  on  the  part 
of  the  young  lady  ;  not  so,  however,  on  the  part  of  the 
duenna  and  holy  friar,  who  soon  found  out  that  their  charge 
was  in  danger  from  heretical  opinions. 

Caution  became  necessary;  and  as  secrecy  adds  a  charm 
to  an  amour,  Clara  received  a  long  letter  and  a  telescope 
from  Edward.  The  letter  informed  her  that,  whenever  he 
could,  he  would  make  his  appearance  in  his  schooner  off 
the  south  of  the  island,  and  await  a  signal  made  by  her 
at  a  certain  window,  acknowledging  her  recognition  of  his 
vessel.  On  the  night  of  that  signal  he  would  land  "in  his 
boat  and  meet  her  at  an  appointed  spot.  This  was  all  very 
delightful ;  and  it  so  happened  that  Edward  had  four  or  fi  ve 
limes  contrived,  during  the  last  year,  to  meet  Clara  without 
discovery,  and  again  and  again  to  exchange  his  vows.  It  was 
agreed  between  them  that  when  he  quitted  the  station,  she 
would  quit  her  father  and  her  home,  and  trust  her  future 
happiness  to  an  Englishman  and  a  heretic. 

It  may  be  a  matter  of  surprise  to  some  of  our  readers  that 
the  admiral  should  not  have  discovered  the  frequent  visits 
96 


THE   LIEUTENANT 

of  the  Enterprise  to  Porto  Rico,  as  Edward  was  obliged  to 
bring-  his  log  for  examination  every  time  that  he  returned ; 
but  the  admiral  'was  satisfied  with  Edward's  conduct,  and 
his  anxiety  to  cruise  when  there  was  nothing  else  for  him 
to  do.  His  logs  were  brought  on  shore  to  the  admiral's 
secretary,  carefully  rolled  and  sealed  up.  The  admiral's 
secretary  threw  the  packages  on  one  side,  and  thought  no 
more  of  the  matter,  and  Edward  had  always  a  ready  story 
to  tell  when  he  took  his  seat  at  the  admiral's  dinner-table  ; 
besides,  he  is  a  very  unfit  person  to  command  a  vessel  who 
does  not  know  how  to  write  a  log  that  will  bear  an  investiga- 
tion. A  certain  latitude  is  always  allowed  in  every  degree 
of  latitude  as  well  as  longitude. 

The  Enterprise  had  been  despatched  to  Antigua,  and 
Edward  thought  this  an  excellent  opportunity  to  pay  a 
visit  to  Clara  d'Alfarez  :  he  therefore,  upon  his  return,  hove- 
to  oft"  the  usual  headland,  and  soon  perceived  the  white 
curtain  thrown  out  of  the  window. 

"  There  it  is,  sir,"  said  one  of  the  midshipmen  who  was 
near  him — for  he  had  been  there  so  often  that  the  whole 
crew  of  the  Enterprise  were  aware  of  his  attachment — "she 
has  shown  her  flag  of  truce." 

"  A  truce  to  your  nonsense,  Mr.  Warren,"  replied  Edward, 
laughing;  "how  came  you  to  know  anything  about.it?" 

"I  only  judge  by  cause  and  effect,  sir;  and  I  know  that 
I  shall  have  to  go  on  shore  and  wait  for  you  to-night." 

"  That's  not  unlikely  ;  but  let- draw  the  foresheet ;  we  must 
now  get  behind  the  headland." 

The  youngster  was  right :  that  evening,  a  little  before 
dark,  he  attended  his  commander  on  shore,  the  Enterprise 
lying  to  with  a  lantern  at  her  peak. 

"Once  more,  dearest  Clara!"  said  Edward,  as  he  threw 
off  her  long  veil  and  pressed  her  in  his  arms. 

"Yes,  Edward,  once  more — but  I  am  afraid  only  once 
more ;  for  my  maid,  Inez,  has  been  dangerously  ill,  and  has 
confessed  to  Friar  Ricardo.  I  fear  ranch  that,  in  her  fright 
97  o 


THE   PIRATE 

(for  she  thought  that  she  was  dying),  she  has  told  all.  She  is 
better  now." 

"  Why  should  you  imagine  so,  Clara  ?  " 

"  Oh,  you  know  not  what  a  frightened  fool  that  Inez  is 
when  she  is  ill !  Our  religion  is  not  like  yours." 

"  No,  dear,  it  is  not ;  but  I  will  teach  you  a  better." 

"  Hush,  Edward,  you  must  not  say  that.  Holy  Virgin  ! 
if  Friar  Ricardo  should  hear  you !  I  think  that  Inez  must 
have  told  him,  for  he  fixes  his  dark  eyes  upon  me  so  earnestly. 
Yesterday  he  observed  to  me  that  I  had  not  confessed." 

"  Tell  him  to  mind  his  own  business." 

"  That  is  his  business,  and  I  was  obliged  to  confess  to 
him  last  night.  I  told  him  a  great  many  things,  and  then 
he  asked  if  that  was  all.  His  eyes  went  through  me.  I 
trembled  as  I  uttered  an  untruth,  for  I  said  it  was." 

"  I  confess  my  sins  but  to  my  Maker,  Clara  !  and  I  confess 
my  love  but  to  you.  Follow  my  plan,  dearest !  " 

"  I  will  half  obey  you,  Edward.     I  will  not  tell  my  love." 

"And  sins  you  have  none,  Clara;  so  you  will  obey  me 
in  all." 

"  Hush,  Edward,  you  must  not  say  that.  We  all  have 
sins ;  and  oh  !  what  a  grievous  sin  they  say  it  is  to  love  you, 
who  are  a  heretic  !  Holy  Virgin,  pardon  me  !  but  I  could 
not  help.it." 

"If  that  is  your  only  sin,  dearest,  I  can  safely  give  you 
absolution." 

"Nay,  Edward,  don't  joke,  but  hear  me.  If  Inez  has 
confessed,  they  will  look  for  me  here,  and  we  must  not  meet 
again — at  least  not  in  this  place.  You  know  the  little  bay 
behind  the  rock,  it  is  not  much  farther  off,  and  there  is  a 
cave  where  I  can  wait :  another  time  it  must  be  there." 

"It  shall  be  there,  dearest;  but  is  it  not  too  near  the 
beach  ?  will  you  not  be  afraid  of  the  men  in  the  boat,  who 
must  see  you." 

"But  we  can  leave  the  beach.  It  is  Ricardo  alone  that 
I  am  in  dread  of,  and  the  Donna  Maria.  Merciful  Heaven  ! 


THE   LIEUTENANT 

should  ray  father  know  it  all,  we  should  be  lost — be  separated 
for  ever  ! "  and  Clara  laid  her  forehead  on  Edward's  shoulder, 
as  her  tears  fell  fast. 

"  There  is  nought  to  fear,  Clara.  Hush  !  I  heard  a  rustling 
in  those  orange-trees.  Listen  !  " 

"  Yes !  yes  !  "  whispered  Clara  hastily  ;  "  there  is  some  one. 
Away  !  dear  Edward,  away  !  " 

Clara  sprang  from  his  side,  and  hastened  up  the  grove. 
Edward  made  his  retreat,  and,  flying  down  the  rocky  and 
narrow  path  through  the  underwood,  was  soon  on  the  beach 
and  into  his  boat.  The  Enterprise  arrived  at  headquarters, 
and  Edward  reported  himself  to  the  admiral. 

"  I  have  work  for  you,  Mr.  Templemore,"  said  the  admiral  ; 
"you  must  be  ready  to  proceed  on  service  immediately. 
We've  found  your  match." 

"  I  hope  I  may  find  her,  sir,"  replied  the  lieutenant. 

"  I  hope  so,  too ;  for,  if  you  give  a  good  account  of  her, 
it  will  put  another  swab  on  your  shoulder.  The  pirate 
schooner,  which  has  so  long  infested  the  Atlantic,  has  been 
seen  and  chased  off  Barbadoes  by  the  Amelia  ;  but  it  appears 
that  there  is  not  a  vessel  in  the  squadron  which  can  come  near 
her  unless  it  be  the  Enterprise.  She  has  since  captured  two 
West  Indiamen,  and  was  seen  steering  with  them  towards 
the  coast  of  Guiana.  Now,  I  am  going  to  give  you  thirty 
additional  hands,  and  send  you  after  her." 

"  Thank  you,  sir,"  replied  Edward,  his  countenance  beam- 
ing with  delight. 

"  How  soon  will  you  be  ready  ?  "  inquired  the  admiral. 

"To-morrow  morning,  sir." 

"  Very  good.  Tell  Mr.  Hadley  to  bring  me  the  order 
for  the  men  and  your  sailing  orders,  and  I  will  sign  them  ; 
but  recollect,  Mr.  Templemore,  you  will  have  an  awkward 
customer.  Be  prudent — brave  I  know  you  to  be." 

Edward  Templemore  promised  everything,  as  most  people 
do  in  such  cases ;  and  before  the  next  evening  the  Enterprise 
was  well  in  the  offing,  under  a  heavy  press  of  saiL 
99 


THE   PIRATE 
CHAPTER  XIII 

THE   LANDING 

_L  HE  property  of  Don  Cumanos,  to  which  he  had  retired 
with  his  family,  accompanied  by  Francisco,  extended  from 
the  mouth  of,  to  many  miles  up,  the  Magdalen  river.  It  was 
a  fine  alluvial  soil,  forming  one  vast  strip  of  rich  meadow, 
covered  with  numerous  herds  of  cattle.  The  house  was  not 
a  hundred  yards  from  the  banks  of  this  magnificent  stream, 
and  a  small  but  deep  creek  ran  up  to  the  adjacent  buildings ; 
for  Don  Cumanos  had  property  even  more  valuable,  being 
proprietor  of  a  gold  mine  near  the  town  of  Jambrano,  abont 
eight  miles  farther  up,  and  which  mine  had  latterly  become 
exceedingly  productive.  The  ore  was  brought  down  the 
river  in  boats,  and  smelted  in  the  outhouses  near  the  creek 
to  which  we  have  just  referred. 

It  will  be  necessary  to  observe  that  the  establishment  of 
the  noble  Spaniard  was  numerous,  consisting  of  nearly  one 
hundred  persons,  employed  in  the  smelting-house  or  attached 
to  the  household. 

For  some  time  Francisco  remained  here  happy  and  con- 
tented ;  he  had  become  the  confidential  supervisor  of  Don 
Cumanos'  household,  proved  himself  worthy  of  a  trust  so 
important,  and  was  considered  as  one  of  the  family. 

One  morning,  as  Francisco  was  proceeding  down  to  the 
smelting-house  to  open  the  hatches  of  the  small  decked  boats 
which  had  arrived  from  Jambrario  with  ore,  and  which  were 
invariably  secured  with  a  padlock  by  the  superintendent 
above,  to  which  Don  Cumanos  had  a  corresponding  key,  one 
of  the  chief  men  informed  him  that  a  vessel  had  anchored  off 
the  mouth  of  the  river  the  day  before,  and  weighed  again 
early  that  morning,  and  that  she  was  now  standing  off  and  on. 

"  From  Carthagena,  probably,  beating  up,"  replied  Fran- 
cisco. 

100 


THE   LANDING 

"Valga  me  Dios,  if  I  know  that,  sir/'  said  Diego.  "I 
should  have  thought  nothing  about  it ;  but  Giacomo  and 
Pedro,  who  went  out  to  fish  last  night,  as  usual,  instead  of 
coming  back  before  midnight,  have  not  been  heard  of  since." 

"  Indeed  !  that  is  strange.  Did  they  ever  stay  so  long 
before  ?" 

"  Never,  sir ;  and  they  have  fished  together  now  for  seven 
years." 

Francisco  gave  the  key  to  the  man,  who  opened  the  locks 
of  the  hatches,  and  returned  it. 

"There  she  is!"  cried  the  man;  the  head-sails  making 
their  appearance  as  the  vessel  opened  to  their  view  from  the 
projecting  point  distant  about  four  miles.  Francisco  directed 
his  eye  towards  her,  and,  without  further  remark,  hastened 
to  the  house. 

"  Well,  Francisco,"  said  Don  Cumanos,  who  was  stirring  a 
small  cup  of  chocolate,  "what's  the  news  this  morning  ?" 

"The  Nostra  Senora  del  Carmen  and  the  Aguilla  have 
arrived,  and  I  have  just  unlocked  the  hatches.  There  is  a 
vessel  off  the  point  which  requires  examination,  and  I  have 
come  for  the  telescope." 

"  Requires  examination  !     Why,  Francisco  ?  " 

"  Because  Giacomo  and  Pedro,  who  went  fishing  last  night, 
have  not  returned,  and  there  are  no  tidings  of  them." 

"  That  is  strange  !  But  how  is  this  connected  with  the 
vessel ?  " 

"  That  I  will  explain  as  soon  as  I  have  had  an  examination 
of  her,"  replied  Francisco,  who  had  taken  up  the  telescope, 
and  was  drawing  out  the  tube.  Francisco  fixed  the  glass 
against  the  sill  of  the  window,  and  examined  the  vessel  some 
time  in  silence. 

"  Yes  !  by  the  living  God,  it  is  the  Avenger,  and  no  other  !  " 
exclaimed  he,  as  he  removed  the  telescope  from  his  eye. 

"  Eh  ?  "  cried  Don  Cumanos. 

"It  is  the  pirate  vessel — the  Avenger — I'll  forfeit  my  life 
upon  it !    Don  Cumanos,  you  must  be  prepared.     I  know  that 
101 


THE   PIRATE 

they  have  long  talked  of  a  visit  to  this  quarter,  and  anticipate 
great  booty,  and  they  have  those  on  board  who  know  the 
coast  well.  The  disappearance  of  your  two  men  convinces 
me  that  they  sent  up  their  boats  last  night  to  reconnoitre,  and 
have  captured  them.  Torture  will  extract  the  information 
which  the  pirates  require,  and  I  have  little  doubt  but  that 
the  attack  will  be  made  when  they  learn  how  much  bullion 
there  is  at  present  on  your  premises." 

"  You  may  be  right,"  replied  Don  Cumanos  thoughtfully ; 
"  that  is,  provided  you  are  sure  that  it  is  the  pirate  vessel." 

"  Sure,  Don  Cumanos  !  I  know  every  timber  and  plank  in 
her;  there  is  not  a  rope  nor  a  block  but  I  can  recognise. 
At  the  distance  of  four  miles,  with  such  a  glass  as  this,  I  can 
discover  every  little  variety  in  her  rigging  from  other  craft. 
I  will  swear  to  her,"  repeated  Francisco,  once  more  looking 
through  the  telescope. 

"  And  if  they  attack,  Francisco  ?  " 

"We  must  defend  ourselves,  and,  I  trust,  beat  them  off. 
They  will  come  in  their  boats,  and  at  night.  If  they  were 
to  run  in  the  schooner  by  daylight  and  anchor  abreast  of  us, 
we  should  have  but  a  poor  chance.  But  they  little  think 
that  I  am  here,  and  that  they  are  recognised.  They  will 
attack  this  night,  I  rather  think." 

"  And  what  do  you  then  propose,  Francisco  ?  " 

"That  we  should  send  all  the  females  away  to  Don 
Teodoro's — it  is  but  five  miles — and  call  the  men  together  as 
soon  as  possible.  We  are  strong  enough  to  beat  them  off  if 
we  barricade  the  house.  They  cannot  land  more  than  from 
ninety  to  one  hundred  men,  as  some  must  remain  in  charge 
of  the  schooner  ;  and  we  can  muster  quite  as  many.  It  may 
be  as  well  to  promise  our  men  a  reward  if  they  do  their 
duty." 

"  That  is  all  right  enough ;  and  the  bullion  we  have 
here  ?  " 

"  Here  we  had  better  let  it  remain ;  it  will  take  too  much 
time  to  remove  it,  and,  besides,  will  weaken  our  force  by  the 
102 


THE  LANDING 

men  who  must  be  in  charge  of  it.  The  outhouses  must  be 
abandoned,  and  everything  which  is  of  consequence  taken 
from  them.  Fire  them  they  will,  in  all  probability.  At  all 
events  we  have  plenty  of  time  before  us,  if  we  begin  at 
once." 

"  Well,  Francisco,  I  shall  make  you  commandant,  and 
leave  the  arrangements  to  you,  while  I  go  and  speak  to 
Donna  Isidora.  Send  for  the  men  and  speak  to  them ; 
promise  them  rewards,  and  act  as  if  you  were  ordering  upon 
your  own  responsibility." 

"I  trust  I  shall  prove  myself  worthy  of  your  confidence, 
sir,"  replied  Francisco. 

"  Carambo  ! "  exclaimed  the  old  Don,  as  he  left  the  room  ; 
"  but  it  is  fortunate  you  are  here.  We  might  all  have  been 
murdered  in  our  beds." 

Francisco  sent  for  the  head  men  of  the  establishment,  and 
told  them  what  he  was  convinced  they  would  have  to  expect ; 
and  he  then  explained  to  them  his  views.  The  rest  were  all 
summoned ;  and  Francisco  pointed  out  to  them  the  little 
mercy  they  would  receive  if  the  pirates  were  not  repulsed, 
and  the  rewards  which  were  promised  by  Don  Cumanos  if 
they  did  their  duty. 

Spaniards  are  individually  brave  ;  and,  encouraged  by 
Francisco,  they  agreed  that  they  would  defend  the  property 
to  the  last. 

The  house  of  Don  Cumanos  was  well  suited  to  resist  an 
attack  of  this  description,  in  which  musketry  only  was  ex- 
pected to  be  employed.  It  wras  a  long  parallelogram  of  stone 
walls,  with  a  wooden  veranda  on  the  first  floor, — for  it  was 
only  one  story  high.  The  windows  on  the  first  story  were 
more  numerous,  but  at  the  basement  there  were  but  two,  and 
no  other  opening  but  the  door  in  the  whole  line  of  building. 
It  was  of  a  composite  architecture,  between  the  Morisco  ar  1 
the  Spanish.  If  the  lower  part  of  the  house,  which  was  01 
stone,  could  be  secured  from  entrance,  the  assailants  would, 
of  course,  fight  under  a  great  disadvantage.  The  windows 
103 


THE   PIRATE 

below  were  first  secured  by  piling  a  heavy  mass  of  stones 
in  the  interior  of  the  rooms  against  them,  rising  to  the 
ceiling  from  a  base  like  the  segment  of  a  pyramid,  extending 
to  the  opposite  side  of  the  chamber ;  and  every  preparation 
was  made  for  effectually  barricading  the  door  before  night. 
Ladders  were  then  fixed  to  ascend  to  the  veranda,  which  was 
rendered  musket-proof  nearly  as  high  as  its  railings,  to  protect 
the  men.  The  Donna  Isidora,  and  the  women  of  the  estab- 
lishment, were  in  the  afternoon  despatched  to  Don  Teodoro's; 
and,  at  the  request  of  Francisco,  joined  to  the  entreaties  of 
Donna  Isidora,  Don  Cumanos  was  persuaded  to  accompany 
them.  The  Don  called  his  men,  and  telling  them  that  he 
left  Francisco  in  command,  expected  them  to  do  their  duty ; 
and  then  shaking  hands  with  him,  the  cavalcade  was  soon 
lost  in  the  woods  behind  the  narrow  meadows  which  skirted 
the  river. 

There  was  no  want  of  muskets  and  ammunition.  Some 
were  employed  casting  bullets,  and  others  in  examining  the 
arms  which  had  long  been  laid  by.  Before  evening  all  was 
ready ;  every  man  had  received  his  arms  and  ammunition  ; 
the  flints  had  been  inspected ;  and  Francisco  had  time  to  pay 
more  attention  to  the  schooner,  which  had  during  the  day 
increased  her  distance  from  the  land,  but  was  not  again 
standing  in  for  the  shore.  Half-an-hour  before  dusk,  when 
within  three  miles,  she  wore  round  and  put  her  head  to  the 
offing. 

"They'll  attack  this  night,"  said  Francisco,  "I  feel  almost 
positive  :  their  yards  and  stay-tackles  are  up,  all  ready  for 
hoisting  out  the  long-boat." 

"  Let  them  come,  seiior ;  we  will  give  them  a  warm  recep- 
tion," replied  Diego,  the  second  in  authority. 

It  was  soon  too  dark  to  perceive  the  vessel.  Francisco  and 
Diego  ordered  every  man,  but  five,  into  the  house ;  the  door 
was  firmly  barricaded,  and  some  large  pieces  of  rock,  which 
had  been  rolled  into  the  passage,  piled  against  it.  Francisco 
then  posted  the  five  men  down  the  banks  of  the  river,  at  a 
104 


THE  LANDING 

hundred  yards'  distance  from  each  other,  to  give  notice  of  the 
approach  of  the  boats.  It  was  about  ten  o'clock  at  night 
when  Francisco  and  Diego  descended  the  ladder  and  went  to 
examine  their  outposts. 

"Senor,"  said  Diego,  as  he  and  Francisco  stood  on  the 
bank  of  the  river,  "at  what  hour  is.it  your  idea  that  these 
villains  will  make  their  attempt  ?  " 

"That  is  difficult  to  say.  If  the  same  captain  commands 
them  who  did  when  I  was  on  board  of  her,  it  will  not  be 
until  after  the  moon  is  down,  which  will  not  be  till  midnight ; 
but  should  it  be  any  other  who  is  in  authority,  they  may  not 
be  so  prudent." 

"  Holy  Virgin !  senor,  were  you  ever  on  board  of  that 
vessel ? " 

"Yes,  Diego,  I  was,  and  for  a  long  while  too;  but  not 
with  my  own  good  will.  Had  I  not  been  on  board  I  never 
should  have  recognised  her." 

"  Very  true,  senor ;  then  we  may  thank  the  saints  that  you 
have  once  been  a  pirate." 

"  I  hope  that  I  never  was  that,  Diego,"  replied  Francisco, 
smiling ;  "  but  I  have  been  a  witness  to  dreadful  proceedings 
on  board  of  that  vessel,  at  the  remembrance  of  which,  even 
now,  my  blood  curdles." 

To  pass  away  the  time,  Francisco  then  detailed  many  scenes 
of  horror  to  Diego  which  he  had  witnessed  when  on  board  of 
the  Avenger  ;  and  he  was  still  in  the  middle  of  a  narrative  when 
a  musket  was  discharged  by  the  farthermost  sentinel. 

"  Hark,  Diego  !  " 

Another,  and  another,  nearer  and  nearer  to  them,  gave 
the  signal  that  the  boats  were  close  at  hand.  In  a  few 
minutes  the  men  all  came  in,  announcing  that  the  pirates 
were  pulling  up  the  stream  in  three  boats,  and  were  less  than 
a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  landing-place. 

"  Diego,  go  to  the  house  with  these  men,  and  see  that  all 
is  ready,"  said  Francisco.     "I  will  wait  here  a  little  longer; 
but  do  not  fire  till  I  come  to  you." 
105 


THE   PIRATE 

Diego  and  the  men  departed,  arid  Francisco  was  left  on 
the  beach  alone. 

In  another  minute  the  sound  of  the  oars  was  plainly  dis- 
tinguishable, and  Francisco's  ears  were  directed  to  catch,  if 
possible,  the  voices.  "Yes,"  thought  he,  "you  come  with 
the  intentions  of  murder  and  robbery,  but  you  will,  through 
me,  be  disappointed."  As  the  boats  approached,  he  heard 
the  voice  of  Hawkhurst.  The  signal  muskets  fired  had  told 
the  pirates  that  they  were  discovered,  and  that  in  all  proba- 
bility they  would  meet  with  resistance ;  silence  was,  there- 
fore, no  longer  of  any  advantage. 

"  Oars,  my  lads  !— oars  !  "  cried  Hawkhurst. 

One  boat  ceased  rowing,  and  soon  afterwards  the  two 
others.  The  whole  of  them  were  now  plainly  seen  by  Fran- 
cisco, at  the  distance  of  about  one  cable's  length  from  where 
he  stood ;  and  the  clear  still  night  carried  the  sound  of  their 
voices  along  the  water. 

"  Here  is  a  ci'eek,  sir,"  said  Hawkhurst,  "  leading  up  to 
those  buildings.  Would  it  not  be  better  to  land  there,  as, 
if  they  are  not  occupied,  they  will  prove  a  protection  to  us 
if  we  have  a  hard  fight  for  it  ?  " 

"  Very  true,  Hawkhurst,"  replied  a  voice,  which  Francisco 
immediately  recognised  to  be  that  of  Cain. 

"He  is  alive,  then,"  thought  Francisco,  "and  his  blood  is 
not  yet  upon  my  hands." 

"  Give  way,  my  lads  ! "  cried  Hawkhurst. 

The  boats  dashed  up  the  creek,  and  Francisco  hastened 
back  to  the  house. 

"Now,  my  lads,"  said  he,  as  he  sprang  up  the  ladder,  "you 
must  be  resolute  ;  we  have  to  deal  with  desperate  men.  I 
have  heard  the  voices  of  the  captain  and  the  chief  mate;  so 
there  is  no  doubt  as  to  its  being  the  pirate.  The  boats  are 
up  the  creek  and  will  land  behind  the  out-buildings.  Haul 
up  these  ladders,  and  lay  them  fore  and  aft  on  the  veranda ; 
and  do  not  fire  without  taking  a  good  aim.  Silence !  my 
men — silence  !  Here  they  come." 
106 


THE  LANDING 

The  pirates  were  now  seen  advancing  from  the  out- 
buildings in  sti-ong  force.  In  the  direction  in  which  they 
came,  it  was  only  from  the  side  of  the  veranda,  at  which  not 
more  than  eight  or  ten  men  could  be  placed,  that  the  enemy 
could  be  repulsed.  Francisco  therefore  gave  orders  that  as 
soon  as  some  of  the  men  had  fired  they  should  retreat  and 
load  their  muskets,  to  make  room  for  others. 

When  the  pirates  had  advanced  half-way  to  the  house,  on 
the  clear  space  between  it  and  the  out-buildings,  Francisco 
gave  the  word  to  fire.  The  volley  was  answered  by  another, 
and  a  shout  from  the  pirates,  who,  with  Hawkhurst  and  Cain 
at  their  head,  now  pressed  on,  but  not  until  they  had  received 
a  second  discharge  from  the  Spaniards,  and  the  pirates  had 
fired  in  retimi.  As  the  Spaniards  could  not  at  first  fire  a 
volley  of  more  than  a  dozen  muskets  at  a  time,  their  oppo- 
nents imagined  their  force  to  be  much  less  than  it  really  was. 
They  now  made  other  arrangements.  They  spread  them- 
selves in  a  semicircle  in  front  of  the  veranda,  and  kept  up  a 
continued  galling  fire.  This  was  returned  by  the  party  under 
Francisco  for  nearly  a  quarter  of  an  hour;  arid  as  all  the 
muskets  were  now  called  into  action,  the  pirates  found  out 
that  they  had  a  more  formidable  enemy  to  cope  with  than  they 
had  anticipated. 

It  was  now  quite  dark,  and  not  a  figure  was  to  be  distin- 
guished, except  by  the  momentary  flashing  of  the  firearms. 
Cain  and  Hawkhurst,  leaving  their  men  to  continue  the 
attack,  had  gained  the  house,  and  a  position  under  the 
veranda.  Examining  the  windows  and  door,  there  appeared 
but  little  chance  of  forcing  an  entrance ;  but  it  immediately 
occurred  to  them  that  under  the  veranda  their  men  would  not 
be  exposed,  and  that  they  might  fire  through  the  wooden 
floor  of  it  upon  those  above.  Hawkhurst  hastened  away,  and 
returned  with  about  half  the  men,  leaving  the  others  to 
continue  their  attack  as  before.  The  advantage  of  this 
manoeuvre  was  soon  evident.  The  musket-balls  of  the  pirates 
pierced  the  planks,  and  wounded  many  of  the  Spaniards 
107 


THE   PIRATE 

severely  ;  and  Francisco  was  at  last  obliged  to  order  his  men 
to  retreat  into  the  house,  and  fire  out  of  the  windows. 

But  even  this  warfare  did  not  continue  ;  for  the  supporting 
pillars  of  the  veranda  being  of  wood,  and  very  dry,  they  were 
set  fire  to  by  the  pirates.  Gradually  the  flames  wound  round 
them,  and  their  forked  tongues  licked  the  balustrade.  At 
last  the  whole  of  the  veranda  was  in  flames.  This  was  a 
great  advantage  to  the  attacking  party,  who  could  now  dis- 
tinguish the  Spaniards  without  their  being  so  clearly  seen 
themselves.  Many  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  smoke 
and  heat  became  so  intense  in  the  upper  story  that  the  men 
could  no  longer  remain  there  ;  and,  by  the  advice  of  Francisco, 
they  retreated  to  the  basement  of  the  house. 

"  What  shall  we  do  now,  senor  ?  "  said  Diego,  with  a  grave 
face. 

"  Do  ?  "  replied  Francisco  ;  "  they  have  burnt  the  veranda, 
that  is  all.  The  house  will  not  take  fire  ;  it  is  of  solid  stone  : 
the  roof  indeed  may ;  but  still  here  we  are.  I  do  not  see 
that  they  are  more  advanced  than  they  were  before.  As  soon 
as  the  veranda  has  burnt  down,  we  must  return  above,  and 
commence  firing  again  from  the  windows." 

"  Hark,  sir !  they  are  trying  the  door." 

"  They  may  try  a  long  while ;  they  should  have  tried  the 
door  while  the  veranda  protected  them  from  our  sight.  At 
soon  as  it  is  burnt,  we  shall  be  able  to  drive  them  away  from 
it.  I  will  go  up  again  and  see  how  things  are." 

"  No,  senor ;  it  is  of  no  use.  Why  expose  yourself  now 
that  the  flames  are  so  bright  ?  " 

"  I  must  go  and  see  if  that  is  the  case,  Diego.  Put  all  the 
wounded  men  in  the  north  chamber,  it  will  be  the  safest,  and 
more  out  of  the  way." 

Francisco  ascended  the  stone  staircase,  and  gained  the 
upper  story.  The  rooms  were  filled  with  smoke,  and  he 
could  distinguish  nothing.  An  occasional  bullet  whistled  past 
him.  He  walked  towards  the  windows,  and  sheltered  himself 
behind  the  wall  betwe  n  them. 
108 


THE   LANDING 

The  flames  were  not  so  violent,  and  the  heat  more  bearable. 
In  a  short  time  a  crash,  and  then  another,  told  him  that  the 
veranda  had  fallen  in.  He  looked  through  the  window.  The 
mass  of  lighted  embers  had  fallen  down  in  front  of  the  house, 
and  had,  for  a  time,  driven  away  the  assailants.  Nothing  was 
left  of  the  veranda  but  the  burning  ends  of  the  joists  fixed  in 
the  wall  above  the  windows,  and  the  still  glowing  remains  of 
the  posts  which  once  supported  it. 

But  the  smoke  from  below  now  cleared  away,  and  the 
discharge  of  one  or  two  muskets  told  Francisco  that  he  was 
perceived  by  the  enemy. 

"  The  roof  is  safe,"  thought  he,  as  he  withdrew  from  the 
window;  "and  now  I  do  not  know  whether  the  loss  of  the 
veranda  may  not  prove  a  gain  to  us." 

What  were  the  intentions  of  the  pirates  it  was  difficult  to 
ascertain.  For  a  time  they  had  left  off  firing,  and  Francisco 
returned  to  his  comrades.  The  smoke  had  gradually  cleared 
away,  and  they  were  able  to  resume  their  positions  above  ;  but 
as  the  pirates  did  not  fire,  they,  of  course,  could  do  nothing, 
as  it  was  only  by  the  flashing  of  the  muskets  that  the  enemy 
was  to  be  distinguished.  No  further  attempts  were  made  at 
the  door  or  windows  below ;  and  Francisco  in  vain  puzzled 
himself  as  to  the  intended  plans  of  the  assailants. 

Nearly  half-an-hour  of  suspense  passed  away.  Some  of 
the  Spaniards  were  of  opinion  that  they  had  retreated  to 
their  boats  and  gone  away,  but  Francisco  knew  them  better. 
All  he  could  do  was  to  remain  above,  and  occasionally  look 
out  to  discover  their  motions.  Diego,  and  one  or  two  more, 
remained  with  him ;  the  other  men  were  -kept  below,  that 
they  might  be  out  of  danger. 

"  Holy  Francis  !  but  this  has  been  a  dreadful  night,  senor  ' 
How  many  hours  until  daylight  ?  "  said  Diego. 

"  Two  hours  at  least,  I  should  think,"  replied  Francisco ; 
"but  the  affair  will  be  decided  before  that." 

"  The  saints  protect  us !  See,  senor,  are  they  not 
coming  ?  " 

109 


THE   PIRATE 

Francisco  looked  through  the  gloom,  in  the  direction  of 
the  out-buildings,  and  perceived  a  group  of  men  advancing. 
A  few  moments  and  he  could  clearly  make  them  out. 

"  Yes,  truly,  Diego ;  and  they  have  made  ladders,  which 
they  are  carrying.  They  intend  to  storm  the  windows. 
Call  them  up  ;  and  now  we  must  fight  hard  indeed." 

The  Spaniards  hastened  up  and  filled  the  room  above, 
which  had  three  windows  in  the  front,  looking  towards  the 
river,  and  which  had  been  sheltered  by  the  veranda. 

<e  Shall  we  fire  now,  senor  ?  " 

"  No — no  ;  do  not  fire  till  your  muzzles  are  at  their  hearts. 
They  cannot  mount  more  than  two  at  a  time  at  each  window. 
Recollect,  my  lads,  that  you  must  now  fight  hard,  for  your 
lives  will  not  be  spared ;  they  will  show  no  quarter  and 
no  mercy." 

The  ends  of  the  rude  ladders  now  made  their  appearance 
above  the  sill  of  each  window.  They  had  been  hastily,  yet 
firmly,  constructed  ;  and  were  nearly  as  wide  as  the  windows. 
A  loud  cheer  was  followed  by  a  simultaneous  mounting  of 
the  ladders. 

Francisco  was  at  the  centre  window,  when  Hawkhurst  made 
his  appearance,  sabre  in  hand.  He  struck  aside  a  musket 
aimed  at  him,  and  the  ball  whizzed  harmless  over  the  broad 
water  of  the  river.  Another  step,  and  he  would  have  been 
in,  when  Francisco  fired  his  pistol ;  the  ball  entered  the  left 
shoulder  of  Hawkhurst,  and  he  dropped  his  hold.  Before  he 
could  regain  it,  a  Spaniard  charged  at  him  with  a  musket, 
and  threw  him  back.  He  fell,  bearing  down  with  him  one 
or  two  of  his  comrades,  who  had  been  following  him  up  the 
ladder. 

Francisco  felt  as  if  the  attack  at  that  window  was  of  little 
consequence  after  the  fall  of  Hawkhurst,  whose  voice  he  had 
recognised  ;  and  he  hastened  to  the  one  on  the  left,  as  he 
had  heard  Cain  encouraging  his  men  in  that  direction.  He 
was  not  wrong  in  his  conjecture ;  Cain  was  at  the  window, 
attempting  to  force  an  entrance,  but  was  opposed  by  Diego 
110 


THE   LANDING 

and  other  resolute  men.  But  the  belt  of  the  pirate  captain 
was  full  of  pistols,  and  he  had  already  fired  three  with  effect. 
Diego  and  the  two  best  men  were  wounded,  and  the  others 
who  opposed  him  were  alarmed  at  his  giant  proportions. 
Francisco  rushed  to  attack  him  ;  but  what  was  the  force  of 
so  young  a  man  against  the  herculean  power  of  Cain  ?  Still 
Francisco's  left  hand  was  at  the  throat  of  the  pirate,  and  the 
pistol  was  pointed  in  his  right,  when  a  flash  of  another  pistol, 
fired  by  one  who  followed  Cain,  threw  its  momentary  vivid 
light  upon  the  features  of  Francisco,  as  he  cried  out,  "  Blood 
for  blood  !  "  It  was  enough  ;  the  pirate  captain  uttered  a  yell 
of  terror  at  the  supposed  supernatural  appearance ;  and  he 
fell  from  the  ladder  in  a  fit  amongst  the  still  burning  embers 
of  the  veranda. 

The  fall  of  their  two  chiefs,  and  the  determined  resistance 
of  the  Spaniards,  checked  the  impetuosity  of  the  assailants. 
They  hesitated ;  and  they  at  last  retreated,  bearing  away 
with  them  their  wounded.  The  Spaniards  cheered,  and,  led 
by  Franchco,  followed  them  down  the  ladders,  and  in  their 
turn  became  the  assailants.  Still  the  pirates'  retreat  was 
orderly  :  they  fired,  and  retired  rank  behind  rank  successively. 
They  kept  the  Spaniards  at  bay,  until  they  had  arrived  at  the 
boats,  when  a  charge  was  made,  and  a  severe  conflict  ensued. 
But  the  pirates  had  lost  too  many  men,  and,  without  their 
commander,  felt  dispirited.  Hawkhurst  was  still  on  his  legs, 
and  giving  his  orders  as  coolly  as  ever.  He  espied  Francisco, 
and  rushing  at  him,  while  the  two  parties  were  opposed 
muzzle  to  muzzle,  seized  him  by  his  collar  and  dragged  him 
in  amongst  the  pirates.  "  Secure  him,  at  all  events  !  "  cried 
Hawkhurst,  as  they  slowly  retreated  and  gained  the  out- 
houses. Francisco  was  overpowered  and  hauled  into  one  of 
the  boats,  all  of  which  in  a  few  minutes  afterwards  were 
pulling  with  all  their  might  to  escape  from  the  muskets  of 
the  Spaniards,  who  followed  the  pirates  by  the  banks  of  the 
river,  annoying  them  in  their  retreat. 

Ill 


THE  PIRATE 


CHAPTER  XIV 

THE    MEETING 

1  HE  pirates  returned  to  their  vessel  discomfited.  Those 
on  board,  who  were  prepared  to  hoist  in  ingots  of  precious 
metal,  had  to  receive  nought  but  wounded  men,  and  many 
of  their  comrades  had  remained  dead  on  the  shore.  Their 
captain  was  melancholy  and  downcast.  Hawkhurst  was  badly 
wounded,  and  obliged  to  be  carried  below  as  soon  as  he  came 
on  board.  The  only  capture  which  they  had  made  was  their 
former  associate  Francisco,  who,  by  the  last  words  spoken  by 
Hawkhurst  as  he  was  supported  to  his  cabin,  was  ordered  to 
be  put  in  irons.  The  boats  were  hoisted  in  without  noise, 
and  a  general  gloom  prevailed.  All  sail  was  then  made 
upon  the  schooner,  and  when  day  dawned  she  was  seen  by 
the  Spaniards  far  away  to  the  northward. 

The  report  was  soon  spread  through  the  schooner  that 
Francisco  had  been  the  cause  of  their  defeat ;  and  although 
this  was  only  a  surmise,  still,  as  they  considered  that  had 
he  not  recognised  the  vessel  the  Spaniards  would  not  have 
been  prepared,  they  had  good  grounds  for  what  had  swelled 
into  an  assertion.  He  became,  therefore,  to  many  of  them, 
an  object  of  bitter  enmity,  and  they  looked  forward  with 
pleasure  to  his  destruction,  which  his  present  confinement 
they  considered  but  the  precursor  of. 

"  Hist !  Massa  Francisco,"  said  a  low  voice  near  to  where 
Francisco  sat  on  the  chest.  Francisco  turned  round  and 
beheld  the  Krouman,  his  old  friend. 

"  Ah  !   Pompey,  are  you  all  still  on  board  ?  "  said  Francisco. 

"  All !  no,"  replied  the  man,  shaking  his  head  ;  "  some  die 
— some  get  away — only  four  Kroumen  left.  Massa  Francisco, 
how  you  come  back  again  ?  Everybody  tink  you  dead.  I 
say  no,  not  dead — ab  charm  with  Lim — ab  book." 

"  If  that  was  my  charm,  I  have  it  still,"  replied  Francisco, 
112 


THE  MEETING 

taking  the  Bible  out  of  his  vest ;  for,  strange  to  say,  Francisco 
himself  had  a  kind  of  superstition  relative  to  that  Bible,  and 
had  put  it  into  his  bosom  previous  to  the  attack  made  by  the 
pirates. 

"  Dat  very  good,  Massa  Francisco ;  den  you  quite  safe. 
Here  come  Johnson — he  very  bad  man.  I  go  away." 

In  the  meantime  Cain  had  retired  to  his  cabin  with  feelings 
scarcely  to  be  analysed.  He  was  in  a  bewilderment.  Not- 
withstanding the  wound  he  had  received  by  the  hand  of 
Francisco,  he  would  never  have  sanctioned  Hawkhurst  put- 
ting him  on  shore  on  a  spot  which  promised  nothing  but  a 
lingering  and  miserable  death.  Irritated  as  he  had  been  by 
the  young  man's  open  defiance,  he  loved  him — loved  him 
much  more  than  he  was  aware  of  himself;  and  when  he  had 
recovered  sufficiently  from  his  wound,  and  had  been  informed 
where  Francisco  had  been  sent  on  shore,  he  quarrelled  with 
Hawkhurst,  and  reproached  him  bitterly  and  sternly,  in 
language  which  Hawkhurst  never  forgot  or  forgave.  The 
vision  of  the  starving  lad  haunted  Cain,  and  rendered  him 
miserable.  His  affection  for  him,  now  that  he  was,  as  he 
supposed,  lost  for  ever,  increased  with  tenfold  force  ;  and 
since  that  period  Cain  had  never  been  seen  to  smile.  He 
became  more  gloomy,  more  ferocious  than  ever,  and  the  men 
trembled  when  he  appeared  on  deck. 

The  apparition  of  Francisco  after  so  long  an  interval,  and 
in  such  an  unexpected  quarter  of  the  globe,  acted  as  we 
have  before  described  upon  Cain.  When  he  was  taken  to 
the  boat  he  was  still  confused  in  his  ideas,  and  it  was  not 
until  they  were  nearly  on  board  that  he  perceived  that  this 
young  man  was  indeed  at  his  side.  He  could  have  fallen  on 
his  neck  and  kissed  him  ;  for  Francisco  had  become  to  him  a 
capture  more  prized  than  all  the  wealth  of  the  Indies.  But 
one  pure,  good  feeling  was  unextinguished  in  the  bosom  of 
Cain  ;  stained  with  every  crime — with  his  hands  so  deeply 
imbrueJ  in  blood — at  enmity  with  all  the  rest  of  the  world, 
that  one  feeling  burnt  bright  and  clear,  and  was  not  to  be 
113  H 


THE  PIRATE 

quenched.  It  might  have  proved  a  beacon-light  to  steer  him 
back  to  repentance  and  to  good  works. 

But  there  were  other  feelings  which  also  crowded  upon 
the  mind  of  the  pirate  captain.  He  knew  Francisco's  firm- 
ness and  decision.  By  some  inscrutable  means,  which  Cain 
considered  as  supernatural,,  Francisco  had  obtained  the  know- 
ledge, and  had  accused  him,  of  his  mother's  death.  Would 
not  the  affection  which  he  felt  for  the  young  man  be  met 
with  hatred  and  defiance  ?  He  was  but  too  sui-e  that  it 
would.  And  then  his  gloomy,  cruel  disposition  would  re- 
assume  its  influence,  and  he  thought  of  revenging  the  attack 
upon  his  life.  His  astonishment  at  the  reappearance  of 
Francisco  was  equally  great,  and  he  trembled  at  the  sight 
of  him,  as  if  he  were  his  accusing  and  condemning  spirit. 
Thus  did  he  wander  from  one  fearful  fancy  to  another,  until 
he  at  last  summoned  up  resolution  to  send  for  him. 

A  morose,  dark  man,  whom  Francisco  had  not  seen  when 
he  was  before  in  the  schooner,  obeyed  the  commands  of  the 
captain.  The  irons  were  unlocked,  and  Francisco  was  brought 
down  into  the  cabin.  The  captain  rose  and  shut  the  door. 

"  I  little  thought  to  see  you  here,  Francisco,"  said  Cain. 

"Probably  not,"  replied  Francisco  boldly,  "but  you  have 
me  again  in  your  power,  and  may  now  wreak  your  ven- 
geance." 

"  I  feel  none,  Francisco ;  nor  would  I  have  suffered  you 
to  have  been  put  on  shore  as  you  were,  had  I  known  of  it. 
Even  now  that  our  expedition  has  failed  through  your 
means,  I  feel  no  anger  towards  you,  although  I  shall  have 
some  difficulty  in  preserving  you  from  the  enmity  of  others. 
Indeed,  Francisco,  I  am  glad  to  find  that  you  are  alive,  and 
I  have  bitterly  mourned  your  loss ; "  and  Cain  extended  his 
hand. 

But  Francisco  folded  his  arms,  and  was  silent. 

"Are  you  then  so  unforgiving?"  said  the  captain.  "You 
know  that  I  tell  the  truth." 

"  I  believe  that  you  state  the  truth,  Captain  Cain,  for  you 
114 


THE  MEETING 

are  too  bold  to  lie ;  and,  as  far  as  I  am  concerned,  you  have 
all  the  forgiveness  you  may  wish  :  but  I  cannot  take  that 
hand  ;  nor  are  our  accounts  yet  settled." 

"  What  would  you  more  ?  Cannot  we  be  friends  again  ? 
I  do  not  ask  you  to  remain  on  board.  You  are  free  to  go 
where  you  please.  Come,  Francisco,  take  my  hand,  and  let 
us  forget  what  is  past." 

"The  hand  that  is  imbrued  with  my  mother's  blood,  per- 
haps !  "  exclaimed  Francisco.  "  Never  !  " 

"  Not  so,  by  G — d  !  "  exclaimed  Cain.  "  No,  no  ;  not 
quite  so  bad  as  that.  In  my  mood  I  struck  your  mother ; 
I  grant  it.  I  did  not  intend  to  injure  her,  but  I  did,  and  she 
died.  I  will  not  lie — that  is  the  fact.  And  it  is  also  the 
fact  that  I  wept  over  her,  Francisco ;  for  I  loved  her  as  I  do 
you."  ("  It  was  a  hasty,  bitter  blow,  that,"  continued  Cain, 
soliloquising,  with  his  hand  to  his  forehead,  and  unconscious 
of  Francisco's  presence  at  the  moment.  "  It  made  me  what 
I  am,  for  it  made  me  reckless.")  "Francisco,"  said  Cain, 
raising  his  head,  "  I  was  bad,  but  I  was  no  pirate  when  your 
mother  lived.  There  is  a  curse  upon  me ;  that  which  I 
love  most  I  treat  the  worst.  Of  all  the  world,  I  loved  your 
mother  most;  yet  did  she  from  me  receive  much  injury,  and 
at  last  I  caused  her  death.  Next  to  your  mother,  whose 
memory  I  at  once  revere  and  love,  and  tremble  when  I  think 
of  (and  each  night  does  she  appear  to  me),  I  have  loved  you, 
Francisco,  for  you,  like  her,  have  an  angel's  feelings ;  yet 
have  1  treated  you  as  ill.  You  thwarted  me,  and  you  were 
right.  Had  you  been  wrong,  I  had  not  cared  ;  but  you  were 
right,  and  it  maddened  me.  Your  appeals  by  day — your 
mother's  in  my  dreams " 

Francisco's  heart  was  softened  ;  if  not  repentance,  there  was 
at  least  contrition.  "  Indeed  I  pity  you,"  replied  Francisco. 

"  You  must  do  more,  Francisco ;  you  must  be  friends  with 
me,"  said  Cain,  again  extending  his  hand. 

"  I  cannot  take  that  hand,  it  is  too  deeply  dyed  in  blood/' 
replied  Francisco. 

J15 


THE   PIRATE 

"  Well,  well,  so  would  have  said  your  mother.  But  hear 
me,  Francisco,"  said  Cain,  lowering  his  voice  to  a  wjiisper, 
lest  he  should  be  overheard  ;  "  I  am  tired  of  this  life — per- 
haps sorry  for  what  I  have  done — I  wish  to  leave  it — have 
wealth  in  plenty  concealed  where  others  know  not.  Tell  me, 
Francisco,  shall  we  both  quit  this  vessel,  and  live  together 
happily  and  without  doing  wrong?  You  shall  share  all, 
Francisco.  Say,  now,  does  that  please  you  ?  " 

"Yes;  it  pleases  me  to  hear  that  you  will  abandon  your 
lawless  life,  Captain  Cain :  but  share  your  wealth  I  cannot, 
for  how  has  it  been  gained  ?  " 

"  It  cannot  be  returned,  Francisco ;  I  will  do  good  with  it. 
I  will  indeed,  Francisco.  I — will — repent;"  and  again  the 
hand  was  extended. 

Francisco  hesitated. 

"  I  do,  so  help  me  God !  I  do  repent,  Francisco  ! "  ex- 
claimed the  pirate  captain. 

"  And  I,  as  a  Christian,  do  forgive  you  all,"  replied  Fran- 
cisco, taking  the  still  extended  hand.  "  May  God  forgive 
you  too  ! " 

"  Amen  ! "  replied  the  pirate  solemnly,  covering  his  face 
up  in  his  hands. 

In  this  position  he  remained  some  minutes,  Francisco 
watching  him  in  silence.  At  last  the  face  was  uncovered, 
and,  to  the  surprise  of  Francisco,  a  tear  was  on  the  cheek 
of  Cain  and  his  eyes  suffused  with  moisture.  Francisco  no 
longer  waited  for  the  hand  to  be  extended  ;  he  walked  up 
to  the  captain,  and  taking  him  by  the  hand,  pressed  it 
warmly. 

"  God  bless  you,  boy  !  God  bless  you  !  "  said  Cain  ;  "  but 
leave  me  now." 

Francisco  returned  on  deck  with  a  light  and  grateful  heart. 
His  countenance  at  once  told  those  who  were  near  him  that 
he  was  not  condemned,  and  many  who  dared  not  before  take 
notice  of,  now  saluted  him.  The  man  who  had  taken  him 
out  of  irons  looked  round ;  he  was  a  creature  of  Hawkhurst, 
116 


THE   MEETING 

and  he  knew  not  how  to  act.  Francisco  observed  him,  and, 
with  a  wave  of  the  hand,  ordered  him  below.  That  Francisco 
was  again  in  authority  was  instantly  perceived,  and  the  first 
proof  of  it  was,  that  the  new  second  mate  reported  to  him 
that  there  was  a  sail  on  the  weather  bow. 

Francisco  took  the  glass  to  examine  her.  It  was  a  large 
schooner  under  all  sail.  Not  wishing  that  any  one  should 
enter  the  cabin  but  himself,  he  went  down  to  the  cabin-door 
and  knocked  before  he  entered,  and  reported  the  vessel. 

"  Thank  you,  Francisco  ;  you  must  take  Hawkhurst's  duty 
for  the  present — it  shall  not  be  for  long ;  and  fear  not  that 
I  shall  make  another  capture.  I  swear  to  you  I  will  not, 
Francisco.  But  this  schooner — I  know  very  well  what  she 
is ;  she  has  been  looking  after  us  some  time  ;  and  a  week 
ago,  Francisco,  I  was  anxious  to  meet  her,  that  I  might  shed 
more  blood.  Now  I  will  do  all  I  can  to  avoid  her,  and  escape. 
I  can  do  no  more,  Francisco.  I  must  not  be  taken." 

"There  I  cannot  blame  you.  To  avoid  her  will  be  easy, 
I  should  think  ;  the  Avenger  outsails  everything." 

"  Except,  I  believe,  the  Enterprise,  which  is  a  sister  vessel. 
By  heaven  !  it's  a  fair  match,"  continued  Cain,  his  feelings 
of  combativeness  returning  for  a  moment;  "and  it  will  look 
like  a  craven  to  refuse  the  fight :  but  fear  not,  Francisco — I 
have  promised  you,  and  I  shall  keep  my  word." 

Cain  went  on  deck,  and  surveyed  the  vessel  through  the 
glass. 

"  Yes,  it  must  be  her,"  said  he  aloud,  so  as  to  be  heard 
by  the  pirates ;  "  she  has  been  sent  out  by  the  admiral  on 
purpose,  full  of  his  best  men.  What  a  pity  we  are  so  short- 
handed  ! " 

"There's  enough  of  us,  sir,"  observed  the  boatswain. 

"  Yes,"  replied  Cain,  "  if  there  was  anything  but  hard 
blows  to  be  got ;  but  that  is  all,  and  I  cannot  spare  more 
men.  Ready  about !"  continued  he,  walking  aft. 

The  Enterprise,  for  she  was  the  vessel  in  pursuit,  was  then 
about  five  miles  distant,  steering  for  the  Avenger,  who  was 
J17 


THE   PIRATE 

on  a  wind.  As  soon  as  the  Avenger  tacked,  the  Enterprise 
took  in  her  topmast  studding-sail,  and  hauled  her  wind.  This 
brought  the  Enterprise  well  on  the  weather-quarter  of  the 
Avenger,  who  now  made  all  sail.  The  pirates,  who  had  had 
quite  enough  of  fighting,  and  were  not  stimulated  by  the 
presence  of  Hawkhurst,  or  the  wishes  of  their  captain,  now 
showed  as  much  anxiety  to  avoid  as  they  usually  did  to  seek 
a  combat. 

At  the  first  trial  of  sailing  between  the  two  schooners  there 
was  no  perceptible  difference ;  for  half-an-hour  they  both 
continued  on  a  wind,  and  when  Edward  Templemore  examined 
his  sextant  a  second  time,  he  could  not  perceive  that  he  had 
gained  upon  the  Avenger  one  cable's  length. 

"  We  will  keep  away  half  a  point,"  said  Edward  to  his 
second  in  command.  "  We  can  afford  that,  and  still  hold 
the  weather-gage." 

The  Enterprise  was  kept  away,  and  increased  her  speed : 
they  neared  the  Avenger  more  than  a  quarter  of  a  mile. 

"  They  are  nearing  us,"  observed  Francisco ;  "  we  must 
keep  away  a  point." 

Away  went  the  Avenger,  and  would  have  recovered  her 
distance,  but  the  Enterprise  was  again  steered  more  off"  the 
wind. 

Thus  did  they  continue  altering  their  course  until  the 
studding-sails  below  and  aloft  were  set  by  both,  and  the 
position  of  the  schooners  was  changed ;  the  Enterprise  now 
being  on  the  starboard  instead  of  the  larboard  quarter  of 
the  Avenger.  The  relative  distance  between  the  two  schooners 
was,  however,  nearly  the  same,  that  is,  about  three  miles 
and  a  half  from  each  other;  and  there  was  every  prospect 
of  a  long  and  weary  chase  on  the  part  of  the  Enterprise,  who 
again  kept  away  a  point  to  near  the  Avenger.  Both  vessels 
were  now  running  to  the  eastward. 

It  was  about  an  hour  before  dark  that  another  sail  hove 
in  sight  right  ahead  of  the  Avenger,  and  was  clearly  made 
out  to  be  a  frigate.  The  pirates  were  alarmed  at  this 
118 


THE  MEETING 

unfortunate  circumstance,  as  there  was  little  doubt  but  that 
she  would  prove  a  British  cruiser ;  and,  if  not,  they  had 
equally  reason  to  expect  that  she  would  assist  in  their 
capture.  She  had  evidently  perceived  the  two  schooners, 
and  had  made  all  sail,  tacking  every  quarter  of  an  hour  so 
as  to  keep  her  relative  position.  The  Enterprise,  who  had 
also  made  out  the  frigate,  to  attract  her  attention,  although 
not  within  range  of  the  Avenger,  commenced  firing  with 
her  long  gun. 

"This  is  rather  awkward,"  observed  Cain. 

"It  will  be  dark  in  less  than  an  hour,"  observed  Francisco; 
"and  that  is  our  only  chance." 

Cain  reflected  a  minute. 

"  Get  the  long  gun  ready,  my  lads  !  We  will  return  her 
fire,  Francisco,  and  hoist  American  colours  ;  that  will  puzzle 
the  frigate,  at  all  events,  and  the  night  may  do  the  rest." 

The  long  gun  of  the  Avenger  was  ready. 

"  I  would  not  fire  the  long  gun,"  observed  Francisco  ;  "  it 
will  show  our  force,  and  will  give  no  reason  for  our  attempt 
to  escape.  Now,  if  we  were  to  fire  our  broadside  guns,  the 
difference  of  report  between  them  and  the  one  of  large 
calibre  fired  by  the  other  schooner  would  induce  them  to 
think  that  we  are  an  American  vessel." 

"Very  true,"  replied  Cain;  "and,  as  America  is  at  peace 
with  all  the  world,  that  our  antagonist  is  a  pirate.  Hold 
fast  the  long  gun,  there,  and  unship  the  starboard  ports. 
See  that  the  ensign  blows  out  clear." 

The  Avenger  commenced  firing  an  occasional  gun  from 
her  broadside,  the  reports  of  which  were  hardly  to  be  heard 
by  those  on  board  of  the  frigate ;  while  the  long  gun  of  the 
Enterprise  reverberated  along  the  water,  and  its  loud  resonance 
was  swept  by  the  wind  to  the  frigate  to  leeward. 

Such  was  the  state  of  affairs  when  the  sun  sank  down  in 
the  wave,  and  darkness  obscurei  the  vessel  s  from  each  other 
sight,  except  with  the  assistance  of  the  night-telescopes. 

"  What  do  you ;  repose  to  c'o,  Captain  Cajn  f "  said  Francisco. 


THE   PIRATE 

"  I  have  made  up  my  mind  to  do  a  bold  thing.  I  will  run 
down  to  the  frigate,  as  if  for  shelter ;  tell  him  that  the  other 
vessel  is  a  pirate,  and  claim  his  protection.  Leave  me  to 
escape  afterwards;  the  moon  will  not  rise  till  nearly  one 
o'clock." 

"  That  will  be  a  bold  ruse  indeed  ;  but  suppose  you  are 
once  under  her  broadside,  and  she  suspects  you  ?  " 

"Then  I  will  show  her  my  heels.  I  should  care  nothing 
for  her  and  her  broadside  if  the  schooner  was  not  here. " 

In  an  hour  after  dark  the  Avenger  was  close  to  the  frigate, 
having  steered  directly  for  her.  She  shortened  sail  gradually, 
as  if  she  had  few  hands  on  board  ;  and,  keeping  his  men  out 
of  sight,  Cain  ran  under  the  stern  of  the  frigate. 

"Schooner  ahoy  !     What  schooner  is  that  ?  " 

"Eliza  of  Baltimore,  from  Carthagena,"  replied  Cain,  round- 
ing to  under  the  lee  of  the  man-of-war,  and  then  continuing  : 
"  That  vessel  in  chase  is  a  pirate.  Shall  I  send  a  boat  on 
board  ?  " 

"  No  ;  keep  company  with  us." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir,"  replied  Cain. 

"  Hands  about  ship  !  "  now  resounded  with  the  boatswain's 
whistle  on  board  of  the  frigate,  and  in  a  minute  they  were 
on  the  other  tack.  The  Avenger  also  tacked  and  kept  close 
under  the  frigate's  counter. 

In  the  meantime  Edward  Templemore  and  those  on  board 
of  the  Enterprise,  who,  by  the  course  steered,  had  gradually 
neared  them,  perceiving  the  motions  of  the  two  other  vessels, 
were  quite  puzzled.  At  one  time  they  thought  they  had  made 
a  mistake,  and  that  it  was  not  the  pirate  vessel ;  at  another 
they  surmised  that  the  crew  had  mutinied  and  surrendered  to 
the  frigate.  Edward  hauled  his  wind,  and  steered  directly 
for  them,  to  ascertain  what  the  real  facts  were.  The  captain 
of  the  frigate,  who  had  never  lost  sight  of  either  vessel,  was 
equally  astonished  at  the  boldness  of  the  supposed  pirate. 

"  Surely  the  rascal  does  not  intend  to  board  us  ?  "  said 
he  to  the  first  lieutenant. 

120 


THE  MEETING 

"  There  is  no  saying,  sir ;  you  know  what  a  character  he 
has  ;  and  some  say  there  are  three  hundred  men  on  board, 
which  is  equal  to  our  ship's  company.  Or  perhaps,  sir,  he 
will  pass  to  windward  of  us,  and  give  us  a  bi'oadside,  and 
be  off  in  the  wind's  eye  again." 

"At  all  events  we  will  have  a  broadside  ready  for  him," 
replied  the  captain.  "  Clear  away  the  starboard  guns,  and 
take  out  the  tompions.  Pipe  starboard  watch  to  quarters." 

The  Enterprise  closed  with  the  frigate  to  windward,  in- 
tending to  run  round  her  stern  and  bring  to  on  the  same 
tack. 

"  He  does  not  shorten  sail  yet,  sir,"  said  the  first  lieutenant, 
as  the  schooner  appeared  skimming  along  about  a  cable's 
length  on  their  weather  bow. 

"  And  she  is  full  of  men,  sir,"  said  the  master,  looking 
at  her  through  the  night-glass. 

"  Fire  a  gun  at  her  !  "  said  the  captain. 

Bang !  The  smoke  cleared  away,  and  the  schooner's  fore- 
topsail,  which  she  was  in  the  act  of  clewing  up,  lay  over  her 
side.  The  shot  had  struck  the  foremast  of  the  Enterprise, 
and  cut  it  in  two  below  the  catharpings.  The  Enterprise  was, 
for  the  time,  completely  disabled. 

"  Schooner  ahoy  !     What  schooner  is  that  ?  " 

"  His  Majesty's  schooner  Enterprise." 

"  Send  a  boat  on  board  immediately." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir." 

"  Turn  the  hands  up  !     Shorten  sail !  " 

The  top-gallant  and  courses  of  the  frigate  were  taken  in, 
and  the  mainsail  hove  to  the  mast. 

"  Signalman,  whereabouts  is  that  other  schooner  now  ?  " 

"  The  schooner,  sir  ?  On  the  quarter,"  replied  the  signal- 
man, who,  with  everybody  else  on  board,  was  so  anxious  about 
the  Enterprise  that  they  had  neglected  to  watch  the  motions 
of  the  supposed  American.  The  man  had  replied  at  random, 
and  he  now  jumped  upon  the  signal-chests  abaft  to  look  for 
her.  But  she  was  not  to  be  seen.  Cain,  who  had  watched 
121 


THE   PIRATE 

all  that  passed  between  the  other  two  vessels,  and  had  been 
prepared  to  slip  off  at  a  moment's  warning,  as  soon  as  the 
gun  was  fired  at  the  other  schooner,  had  wore  round  and 
made  all  sail  on  a  wind.  The  night-glass  discovered  her  half 
a  mile  astern ;  and  the  ruse  was  immediately  perceived. 
The  frigate  filled  and  made  sail,  leaving  Edward  to  return 
on  board — for  there  was  no  time  to  stop  for  the  boat — tacked, 
and  gave  chase.  But  the  Avenger  was  soon  in  the  wind's  eye 
of  her  ;  and  at  daylight  was  no  longer  to  be  seen. 

In  the  meantime,  Edward  Templemore  had  followed  the 
frigate  as  soon  as  he  could  set  s:ul  on  his  vessel,  indignant 
at  his  treatment,  and  vowing  that  he  would  demand  a  court- 
martial.  About  noon  the  frigate  rejoined  him,  when  matters 
were  fully  explained.  Annoyed  as  they  all  felt  at  not  having 
captured  the  pirate,  it  was  unanimously  agreed,  that  by  his 
audacity  and  coolness  he  deserved  to  escape.  It  was  found 
that  the  mast  of  the  Enterprise  could  be  fished  and  scarfed, 
so  as  to  enable  her  to  continue  her  cruise.  The  carpenters 
of  the  frigate  were  sent  on  board ;  and  in  two  days  the 
injury  was  repaired,  and  Edward  Templemore  once  more  went 
in  pursuit  of  the  Avenger. 

CHAPTER  XV 

THE    MISTAKE 

_l  HE  Avenger  stood  under  a  press  of  sail  to  the  northward. 
She  had  left  her  pursuers  far  behind  ;  and  there  was  not  a 
speck  on  the  horizon,  when,  on  the  second  morning,  Francisco, 
who  had  resumed  his  berth  in  the  captain's  cabin,  went  up 
on  deck.  Notwithstanding  the  request  of  Cain,  Francisco 
refused  to  take  any  part  in  the  command  of  the  schooner, 
considering  himself  as  a  passenger,  or  prisoner  on  parole. 
He  had  not  been  on  deck  but  a  few  minutes,  when  he 
observed  the  two  Spanish  fishermen,  belonging  to  the  estab- 
lishment of  Don  Cumanos,  conversing  together  forward.  Their 
122 


THE  MISTAKE 

capture  had  quite  escaped  his  memory,  and  he  went  forward 
to  speak  to  them.  Their  surprise  at  seeing  him  was  great, 
until  Francisco  informed  them  of  what  had  passed.  They 
then  recounted  what  had  occurred  to  them,  and  showed 
their  thumbs,  which  had  been  put  into  screws  to  torture  from 
them  the  truth.  Francisco  shuddered,  but  consoled  them  by 
promising  that  they  should  soon  be  at  liberty,  and  return  to 
their  former  master. 

As  Francisco  returned  from  forward,  he  found  Hawkhurst 
on  the  deck.  Their  eyes  met  and  flashed  in  enmity.  Hawk- 
hurst  was  pale  from  loss  of  blood,  and  evidently  suffering; 
but  he  had  been  informed  of  the  apparent  reconciliation 
between  Francisco  and  the  captain,  and  he  could  no  longer 
remain  in  his  bed.  He  knew,  also,  how  the  captain  had 
avoided  the  combat  with  the  Enterprise  ;  and  something  told 
him  that  there  was  a  revolution  of  feeling  in  more  than  one 
point.  Suffering  as  he  was,  he  resolved  to  be  a  spectator  of 
what  passed,  and  to  watch  narrowly.  For  both  Francisco 
and  Cain  he  had  imbibed  a  deadly  hatred,  and  was  watching 
for  an  opportunity  to  wreak  his  revenge.  At  present  they 
were  too  powerful ;  but  he  felt  that  the  time  was  coming 
when  he  might  be  triumphant. 

Francisco  passed  Hawkhurst  without  speaking. 

"You  are  at  liberty  again,  I  see/'  observed  Hawkhurst 
with  a  sneer. 

"  I  am  not,  at  all  events,  indebted  to  you  for  it,"  replied 
Francisco  haughtily  ;  "nor  for  my  life  either." 

"  No,  indeed  ;  but  I  believe  that  I  am  indebted  to  you  for 
this  bullet  in  my  shoulder,"  replied  the  mate. 

"  You  are,"  replied  Francisco  coolly. 

"And  depend  upon  it,  the  debt  shall  be  repaid  with 
usury." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  it,  if  ever  it  is  in  your  power ;  but  I 
fear  you  not." 

As   Francisco  made   this  reply,  the  captain  came  up  the 
ladder.     Hawkhurst  turned  away  and  walked  forward. 
123 


THE   PIRATE 

"There  is  mischief  in  that  man,  Francisco/'  said  the 
captain  in  an  undertone ;  "  I  hardly  know  whom  to  trust  ; 
but  he  must  be  watched.  He  is  tampering  Avith  the  men, 
and  has  been  for  some  time ;  not  that  it  is  of  much  conse- 
quence, if  he  does  but  remain  quiet  for  a  little  while.  The 
command  of  this  vessel  he  is  welcome  to  very  soon ;  but  if 
he  attempts  too  early " 

"  I  have  those  I  can  trust  to,"  replied  Francisco.  "  Let  us 
go  below." 

Francisco  sent  for  Pompey  the  Krouman,  and  gave  him 
his  directions  in  the  presence  of  the  captain.  That  night, 
to  the  surprise  of  all,  Hawkhurst  kept  his  watch  ;  and,  not- 
withstanding the  fatigue,  appeared  every  day  to  be  rapidly 
recovering  from  his  wound. 

Nothing  occurred  for  several  days,  during  which  the 
Avenger  still  continued  her  course.  What  the  captain's  in- 
tentions were  did  not  transpire;  they  were  known  only  to 
Francisco. 

"We  are  very  short  of  water,  sir,"  reported  Hawkhurst  one 
morning ;  "  shall  we  have  enough  to  last  us  to  where  we  are 
going  ?  " 

"  How  many  days  of  full  allowance  have  we  on  board  ?  " 

"  Not  above  twelve  at  the  most." 

"Then  we  must  go  on  half  allowance,"  replied  Cain. 

"  The  ship's  company  wish  to  know  where  we  are  going, 
sir." 

"  Have  they  deputed  you  to  ask  the  question  ?" 

"Not  exactly,  sir;  but  I  wish  to  know  myself,"  replied 
Hawkhurst,  with  an  insolent  air. 

"  Turn  the  hands  up,"  replied  Cain  ;  "  as  one  of  the  ship's 
company  under  my  orders,  you  will,  with  the  others,  receive 
the  information  you  require." 

The  crew  of  the  pirate  collected  aft. 

"My  lads,"  said  Cain,  "  I  understand,  from  the  first  mate, 
that  you  are  anxious  to  know  where  you  are  going?  In 
reply,  I  acquaint  you,  that  having  so  many  wounded  men  on 
124 


THE   MISTAKE 

board,  and  so  much  plunder  in  the  hold,  I  intend  to  repair  to 
our  rendezvous  when  we  were  formerly  in  this  part  of  the 
world — the  Caicos.  Is  there  any  other  question  you  may 
wish  to  ask  of  me  ?  " 

"Yes,"  replied  Hawkhurst ;  "we  wish  to  know  what  your 
intentions  are  relative  to  that  young  man,  Francisco.  We 
have  lost  immense  wealth  ;  we  have  now  thirty  men  wounded 
in  the  hammocks,  and  nine  we  left  dead  on  the  shore ;  and  I 
have  a  bullet  through  my  body ;  all  of  which  has  been  occa- 
sioned by  him.  We  demand  justice  !  " 

Here  Hawkhurst  was  supported  by  several  of  the  pirates; 
and  there  were  many  voices  which  repeated  the  cry  of 
"  Justice  ! " 

"My  men!  you  demand  justice,  and  you  shall  have  it," 
replied  Cain.  "  This  lad  you  all  know  well  ;  I  have  brought 
him  up  as  a  child.  He  has  always  disliked  our  mode  of  life, 
and  has  often  requested  to  leave  it,  but  has  been  refused. 
He  challenged  me  by  our  own  laws,  e  Blood  for  blood  ! 
He  wounded  me ;  but  he  was  right  in  his  challenge,  and 
therefore  I  bear  no  malice.  Had  I  been  aware  that  he  was 
to  have  been  sent  on  shore  to  die  with  hunger,  I  would  not 
have  permitted  it.  What  crime  had  he  committed  ?  None ; 
or,  if  any,  it  was  against  me.  He  was  then  sentenced  to 
death  for  no  crime,  and  you  yourselves  exclaimed  against  it. 
Is  it  not  true  ?" 

"  Yes— yes,"  replied  the  majority  of  the  pirates. 

"  By  a  miracle  he  escapes,  and  is  put  in  charge  of  another 
man's  property.  He  is  made  a  prisoner,  and  now  you  de- 
mand justice.  You  shall  have  it.  Allowing  that  his  life  is 
forfeit  for  this  offence, — you  have  already  sentenced  him,  and 
left  him  to  death  unjustly,  and  therefore  are  bound  in  justice 
to  give  his  life  in  this  instance.  I  ask  it,  my  men,  not  only 
as  his  right,  but  as  a  favour  to  your  captain." 

"  Agreed  ;  it's  all  fair ! "  exclaimed  the  majority  o/  the 
pirate's  crew. 

"  My  men,  I  thank  you/'  replied  Cain  ;  "  and  in  return,  as 


THE   PIRATE 

soon  as  we  arrive  at  the  Caicos,  my  share  of  the  plunder  on 
board  shall  be  divided  among  you." 

This  last  observation  completely  turned  the  tables  in  favour 
of  the  captain ;  and  those  who  had  joined  Hawkhurst  now 
sided  with  the  captain.  Hawkhurst  looked  like  a  demon. 

"  Let  those  who  choose  to  be  bought  off  take  your  money," 
replied  he  ;  "  but  /  mill  not.  Blood  for  blood  I  will  have  ; 
and  so  I  give  you  warning.  That  lad's  life  is  mine,  and  have 
it  I  will  !  Prevent  me,  if  you  can  ! "  continued  the  mate, 
holding  up  his  clenched  hand,  and  shaking  it  almost  in  the 
pirate  captain's  face. 

The  blood  mantled  even  to  the  forehead  of  Cain.  One 
moment  he  raised  himself  to  his  utmost  height,  then  seizing 
a  handspike  which  lay  near,  he  felled  Hawkhurst  to  the 
d,eck. 

"Take  that  for  your  mutiny  ! "  exclaimed  Cain,  putting  his 
foot  on  Hawkhurst's  neck.  "  My  lads,  I  appeal  to  you.  Is 
this  man  worthy  to  be  in  command  as  mate  ?  Is  he  to 
live  ?  " 

"  No  !  no  !  "  cried  the  pirates.     "  Death  !  " 

Francisco  stepped  forward.  "  My  men,  you  have  granted 
your  captain  one  favour  ;  grant  me  another,  which  is  the  life 
of  this  man.  Recollect  how  often  he  has  led  you  to  con- 
quest, and  how  brave  and  faithful  he  has  been  until  now  ! 
Recollect  that  he  is  suffering  under  his  wound,  which  has 
made  him  irritable.  Command  you  he  cannot  any  longer,  as 
he  will  never  have  the  confidence  of  your  captain ;  but  let 
him  live,  and  quit  the  vessel." 

"  Be  it  so,  if  you  agree,"  replied  Cain,  looking  at  the  men  ; 
"  I  do  not  seek  his  life." 

The  pirates  consented.  Hawkhurst  rose  slowly  from  the 
deck,  and  was  assisted  below  to  his  cabin.  The  second  mate 
was  then  appointed  as  the  first,  and  the  choice  of  the  man  to 
fill  up  the  vacancy  was  left  to  the  pirate  cre\v. 

For  three  days  after  this  scene  all  was  quiet  and  orderly 
on  board  of  the  pirate.  Cain,  now  that  he  had  more  fully 
126 


1  Take  that  for  your  mutiny  ! '  exclaimed  Cain,  putting  his  foot 
on  Hawkhurst's  neck." 


THE  MISTAKE 

made  up  his  mind  how  to  act,  imparted  to  Francisco  his 
plans ;  and  his  giving  up  to  the  men  his  share  of  the  booty 
still  on  board  was,  to  Francisco,  an  earnest  of  his  good  in- 
tentions. A  cordiality,  even,  a  kind  of  feeling  which  never 
existed  before,  was  created  between  them  ;  but  of  Francisco's 
mother,  and  the  former  events  of  his  own  life,  the  pirate 
never  spoke.  Francisco  more  than  once  put  questions  on  the 
subject ;  the  answer  was,  "  You  shall  know  some  of  these  days, 
Francisco,  but  not  yet ;  you  would  hate  me  too  much  ! " 

The  Avenger  was  now  clear  of  the  English  isles,  and  with 
light  winds  running  down  the  shores  of  Porto  Rico.  In  the 
evening  of  the  day  on  which  they  had  made  the  land,  the 
schooner  was  becalmed  about  three  miles  from  the  shore,  and 
the  new  first  mate  proposed  that  he  should  land  in  the  boat 
and  obtain  a  further  supply  of  water  from  a  fall  which  they 
had  discovered  with  the  glasses.  As  this  was  necessary,  Cain 
gave  his  consent,  and  the  boat  quitted  the  vessel  full  of 
breakers. 

Now  it  happened  that  the  Avenger  lay  becalmed  abreast  of 
the  country  seat  of  Don  d' Alfarez,  the  governor  of  the  island. 
Clara  had  seen  the  schooner ;  and,  as  usual,  had  thrown  out 
the  white  curtain  as  a  signal  of  recognition  ;  for  there  was  no 
perceptible  difference,  even  to  a  sailor,  at  that  distance,  be- 
tween the  Avenger  and  the  Enterprise.  She  had  hastened 
down  to  the  beach,  and  hurried  into  the  cave,  awaiting  the 
arrival  of  Edward  Templemore.  The  pirate  boat  landed  at 
the  very  spot  of  rendezvous,  and  the  mate  leaped  out  of  the 
boat.  Clara  flew  to  receive  her  Edward,  and  was  instantly 
seized  by  the  mate,  before  she  discovered  her  mistake. 

"  Holy  Virgin !  who  and  what  are  you  ? "  cried  she, 
struggling  to  disengage  herself. 

"One  who  is  very  fond  of  a  pretty  girl!"  replied  the 
pirate,  still  detaining  her. 

"  Unhand  me,  wretch  !  "  cried  Clara.  "  Are  you  aware 
whom  you  are  addressing  ?  " 

"  Not  I  !  nor  do  I  care,"  replied  the  pirate. 

1*7 


THE   PIRATE 

"You  will  perhaps,  sir,  when  you  learn  that  I  am  the 
daughter  of  the  governor!"  exclaimed  Clara,  pushing  him 
away. 

"  Yes,  by  heavens !  you  are  right,  pretty  lady,  I  do  care  ; 
for  a  governor's  daughter  will  fetch  a  good  ransom,  at  all 
events.  So  come,  my  lads,  a  little  help  here  ;  for  she  is  as 
strong  as  a  young  mule.  Never  mind  the  water,  throw  the 
breakers  into  the  boat  again ;  we  have  a  prize  worth 
taking ! " 

Clara  screamed ;  but  she  was  gagged  with  a  handkerchief 
and  lifted  into  the  boat,  which  immediately  rowed  back  to 
the  schooner. 

When  the  mate  came  on  board  and  reported  his  capture, 
the  pirates  were  delighted  at  the-  prospect  of  addition  to 
their  prize-money.  Cain  could  not,  of  course,  raise  any 
objections ;  it  would  have  been  so  different  from  his  general 
pi-actice,  that  it  would  have  strengthened  suspicions  already 
set  afloat  by  Hawkhurst,  which  Cain  was  most  anxious  just 
then  to  remove.  He  ordered  the  girl  to  be  taken  down  into 
the  cabin,  hoisted  in  the  boat,  and  the  breeze  springing  up 
again,  made  sail. 

In  the  meantime  Francisco  was  consoling  the  unfortunate 
Clara,  and  assuring  her  that  she  need  be  under  no  alarm, 
promising  her  protection  from  himself  and  the  captain. 

The  poor  girl  wept  bitterly,  and  it  was  not  until  Cain  came 
down  into  the  cabin  and  corroborated  the  assurances  of  Fran- 
cisco that  she  could  assume  any  degree  of  composure ;  but  to 
find  friends  when  she  had  expected  every  insult  and  degrada- 
tion— for  Francisco  had  acknowledged  that  the  vessel  was 
a  pirate — was  some  consolation.  The  kindness  and  attention 
of  Francisco  restored  her  to  comparative  tranquillity. 

The  next  day  she  confided  to  him  the  reason  of  her  coming 
to  the  beach,  and  her  mistake  with  regard  to  the  two  vessels, 
and  Francisco  and  Cain  promised  her  that  they  would  them- 
selves pay  her  ransom,  and  not  wait  until  she  heard  from  her 
father.  To  divert  her  thoughts  Francisco  talked  much  about 
128 


THE   MISTAKE 

Edward  Templemore,  and  on  that  subject  Clara  could  always 
talk.  Every  circumstance  attending  the  amour  was  soon 
known  to  Francisco. 

But  the  Avenger  did  not  gain  her  rendezvous  as  soon  as  she 
expected.  When  to  the  northward  of  Porto  Rico  an  English 
frigate  bore  down  upon  her,  and  the  Avenger  was  obliged  to 
run  for  it.  Before  the  wind  is  always  a  schooner's  worst 
point  of  sailing,  and  the  chase  was  continued  for  three  days 
before  a  fresh  wind  from  the  southward,,  until  they  had 
passed  the  Bahama  Isles. 

The  pirates  suffered  much  from  want  of  water,  as  it  was 
necessary  still  further  to  reduce  their  allowance.  The  frigate 
was  still  in  sight,  although  the  Avenger  had  dropped  her 
astern  when  the  wind  became  light,  and  at  last  it  subsided 
into  a  cairn,  which  lasted  two  days  more.  The  boats  of  the 
frigate  were  hoisted  out  on  the  eve  of  the  second  day  to 
attack  the  schooner,  then  distant  five  miles,  when  a  breeze 
sprang  up  from  the  northward,  and  the  schooner  being  then 
to  windward,  left  the  enemy  hull  down. 

It  was  not  until  the  next  day  that  Cain  ventured  to  run 
again  to  the  southward  to  procure  at  one  of  the  keys  the 
water  so  much  required.  At  last  it  was  obtained,  but  with 
difficulty  and  much  loss  of  time,  from  the  scantiness  of  the 
supply,  and  they  again  made  sail  for  the  Caicos.  But  they 
were  so  much  impeded  by  contrary  winds  and  contrary 
currents  that  it  was  not  until  three  weeks  after  they  had 
been  chased  from  Porto  Rico  that  they  made  out  the  low 
land  of  their  former  rendezvous. 

We  must  now7  return  to  Edward  Templemore  in  the  Enter- 
prise, whom  we  left  off  the  coast  of  South  America  in  search 
of  the  Avenger,  which  had  so  strangely  slipped  through  their 
fingers.  Edward  had  examined  the  whole  coast,  ran  through 
the  passage  and  round  Trinidad,  and  then  started  off  to  the 
Leeward  Isles  in  his  pursuit.  He  had  spoken  every  vessel 
he  met  with  without  gaining  any  information,  and  had  at 
last  arrived  off  Porto  Rico. 

129  1 


THE   PIRATE 

This  was  no  time  to  think  of  Clara ;  but,  as  it  was  not  out 
of  his  way,  he  had  run  down  the  island,  and  as  it  was  just 
before  dark  when  he  arrived  off  that  part  of  the  coast  where 
the  governor  resided,  he  had  hove-to  for  a  little  while,  and 
had  examined  the  windows :  but  the  signal  of  re-cognition 
was  not  made,  and  after  waiting  till  dark  he  again  made  sail, 
mad  with  disappointment,  and  fearing  that  all  had  been  dis- 
covered by  the  governor ;  whereas  the  fact  was,  that  he  had 
only  arrived  two  days  after  the  forcible  abduction  of  Clara. 
Once  more  he  directed  his  attention  to  the  discovery  of  the 
pirate,  and  after  a  fortnight's  examination  of  the  inlets  and 
bays  of  the  Island  of  St.  Domingo  without  success,  his  pro- 
visions and  water  being  nearly  expended,  he  returned,  in  no 
very  happy  mood,  to  Port  Royal. 

In  the  meantime  the  disappearance  of  Clara  had  created 
the  greatest  confusion  in  Porto  Rico,  and  upon  the  examination 
of  her  attendant,  who  was  confronted  by  the  friar  and  the 
duenna,  the  amour  of  her  mistress  was  confessed.  The 
appearance  of  the  Avenger  off  the  coast  on  that  evening  con- 
firmed their  ideas  that  the  Donna  Clara  had  been  carried  off 
by  the  English  lieutenant,  and  Don  Alfarez  immediately 
despatched  a  vessel  to  Jamaica,  complaining  of  the  outrage, 
and  demanding  the  restoration  of  his  daughter. 

This  vessel  arrived  at  Port  Royal  a  few  days  before  the 
Enterprise,  and  the  admiral  was  very  much  astonished.  He 
returned  a  very  polite  answer  to  Don  Alfarez,  promising  an' 
investigation  immediately  upon  the  arrival  of  the  schooner, 
and  to  send  a  vessel  with  the  result  of  the  said  investigation. 

"  This  is  a  pretty  business,"  said  the  admiral  to  his  secre- 
tary. "  Young  madcap  !  I  sent  him  to  look  after  a  pirate, 
and  he  goes  after  the  governor's  daughter !  By  the  lord 
Harry,  Mr.  Templemore,  but  you  and  I  shall  have  an  account 
to  settle." 

"  I  can  hardly  believe  it,  sir,"  replied  the  secretary  ;  "  and 
yet  it  does  look  suspicious.  But  on  so  short  an  acquaint- 
ance  " 

130 


THE   MISTAKE 

"  Who  knows  that,  Mr.  Hadley  ?  Send  for  his  logs,  and 
let  us  examine  them ;  he  may  have  been  keeping  up  the 
acquaintance." 

The  logs  of  the  Enterprise  were  examined,  and  there  were 
the  fatal  words — Porto  Rico,  Porto  Rico,  bearing  in  even* 
division  of  the  compass,  and  in  every  separate  cruise,  nay, 
even  when  the  schooner  was  charged  with  despatches. 

"  Plain  enough,"  said  the  admiral.  '•'  Confounded  young 
scamp,  to  embroil  me  in  this  way  !  Not  that  his  marrying 
tl>e  girl  is  any  business  of  mine ;  but  I  will  punish  him  for 
disobedience  of  orders,  at  all  events.  Try  him  by  a  court- 
martial,  by  heavens ! " 

The  secretary  made  no  reply  :  he  knew  very  well  that  the 
admiral  would  do  no  such  thing. 

"  The  Enterprise  anchored  at  daylight,  sir,"  reported  the 
secretaiy  as  the  admiral  sat  down  to  breakfast. 

"  And  where's  Mr.  Templemore  ?  " 

"  He  is  outside  in  the  veranda.  They  have  told  him  below 
of  what  he  has  been  accused,  and  he  swears  it  is  false.  I 
believe  him,  sir,  for  he  appears  half  mad  at  the  intelligence." 

"  Stop  a  moment.     Have  you  looked  over  his  log  ?  " 

"  Yes,  sir.  It  appears  that  he  was  off  Porto  Rico  on  the 
19th  ;  but  the  Spanish  governor's  letter  says  that  he  was  there 
on  the  17th,  and  again  made  his  appearance  on  the  19th. 
I  mentioned  it  to  him,  and  he  declares  upon  his  honour  that 
he  was  only  there  on  the  19th,  as  stated  in  his  log." 

"  Well,  let  him  come  in  and  speak  for  himself." 

Edward  came  in,  in  a  state  of  great  agitation. 

"  Well,  Mr.  Templemore,  you  have  been  playing  pretty 
tricks  !  What  is  all  this,  sir  ?  Where  is  the  girl,  sir— the 
governor's  daughter?  " 

"  Where  she  is,  sir,  I  cannot  pretend  to  say  ;  but  I  feel 
convinced  that  she  has  been  carried  off  by  the  pirates." 

"  Pirates  !  Poor  girl,  I  pity  her ! — and  I  pity  you  too, 
Edward.  Come,  sit  down  here,  and  tell  me  all  that  has 
happened." 

131 


THE   PIRATE 

Edward  knew  the  admiral's  character  so  well,  that  he 
immediately  disclosed  all  that  had  passed  between  him  and 
Clara.  He  then  stated  how  the  Avenger  had  escaped  him  by 
deceiving  the  frigate,  and  the  agreement  made  with  Clara 
to  meet  for  the  future  on  the  beach,  with  his  conviction  that 
the  pirate  schooner,  so  exactly  similar  in  appearance  to  the 
Enterprise,  must  have  preceded  him  at  Porto  Rico,  and  have 
carried  off  the  object  of  his  attachment. 

Although  Edward  might  have  been  severely  taken  to  task, 
yet  the  admiral  pitied  him,  and  therefore  said  nothing  about 
his  visits  to  Porto  Rico.  When  breakfast  was  over  he  ordered 
the  signal  to  be  made  for  a  sloop  of  war  to  prepare  to  weigh, 
and  the  Enterprise  to  be  revictualled  by  the  boats  of  the 
squadron. 

"  Now,  Edward,  you  and  the  Comus  shall  sail  in  company 
after  this  rascally  pirate,  and  I  trust  you  will  give  me  a  good 
account  of  her,  and  also  of  the  governor's  daughter.  Cheer 
up,  my  boy !  depend  upon  it  they  will  try  for  ransom  before 
they  do  her  any  injury." 

That  evening  the  Enterprise  and  Comus  sailed  on  their  ex- 
pedition, and  having  run  by  Porto  Rico  and  delivered  a  letter 
to  the  governor,  they  steered  to  the, northward,  and  early  the 
next  morning  made  the  land  of  the  Caicos,  just  as  the  Avenger 
had  skirted  the  reefs  and  bore  up  for  the  narrow  entrance. 

"There  she  is!"  exclaimed  Edward;  "there  she  is,  by 
heavens  !"  making  the  signal  for  the  enemy,  which  was  im- 
mediately answered  by  the  Comus. 


CHAPTER  XVI 

THE    CAICOS 

J_  HE  small  patch  of  islands  called  the  Caicos,  or  Cayques, 
is  situated  about  two  degrees  to  the  northward  of  St.  Domingo, 
and  is  nearly  the  southernmost  of  a  chain  which  extends  up 
to  the  Bahamas.  Most  of  the  islands  of  this  chain  are  un- 
132 


THE  CAICOS 

inhabited,  but  were  formerly  the  resort  of  piratical  vessels, — 
the  reefs  and  shoals  with  which  they  are  all  surrounded 
afforded  them  protection  from  their  larger  pursuers,  and  the 
passages  through  this  dangerous  navigation  being  known  only 
to  the  pirates  who  frequented  them,  proved  an  additional 
security.  The  largest  of  the  Caicos  islands  forms  a  curve, 
like  an  opened  horse-shoe,  to  the  southward,  with  safe  and 
protected  anchorage  when  once  in  the  bay  on  the  southern 
side ;  but,  previous  to  arriving  at  the  anchorage,-  there  are 
coral  reefs,  extending  upwards  of  forty  miles,  through  which 
it  is  necessary  to  conduct  a  vessel.  This  passage  is  extremely 
intricate,  but  was  well  known  to  Hawkhurst.  who  had  hitherto 
been  pilot.  Cain  was  not  so  well  acquainted  with  it,  and  it 
required  the  greatest  care  in  taking  in  the  vessel,  as,  on 
the  present  occasion,  Hawkhurst  could  not  be  called  upon 
for  this  service.  The  islands  themselves — for  there  were 
several  of  them — were  composed  of  coral  rock ;  a  few  cocoa- 
trees  raised  their  lofty  heads  where  there  vas  sufficient  earth 
for  vegetation,  and  stunted  brushwood  rose  up  between  the 
interstices  of  the  rocks.  Eut  the  chief  peculiarity  of  the 
islands,  and  which  rendered  them  suitable  to  those  who 
frequented  them,  was  the  numerous  caves  with  which  the 
rocks  were  perforated,  some  above  high-water  mark,  but  the 
majority  with  the  sea-water  flowing  in  and  out  of  them,  in 
some  cases  merely  rushing  in,  and  at  high  water  filling  deep 
pools,  which  were  detached  from  each  other  when  the  tide 
receded,  in  others  with  a  sufficient  depth  of  water  at  all 
times  to  allow  you  to  pull  in  with  a  large  boat.  It  is  hardly 
necessary  to  observe  how  convenient  the  higher  and  dry 
caves  were  as  receptacles  for  articles  which  were  intended 
to  be  concealed  until  an  opportunity  occurred  for  disposing 
of  them. 

In  our  last  chapter  we  stated  that,  just  as  the  Avenger  had 
entered  the  passage  through  the  reefs,  the  Cormis  and  Enter- 
prise hove  in  sight  and  discovered  her;  but  it  will  be  necessary 
to  explain  the  positions  of  the  vessels.     The  Avenger  had 
133 


THE   PIRATE 

entered  the  southern  channel,  with  the  wind  from  the  south- 
ward, and  had  carefully  sounded  her  way  for  about  four  miles, 
under  little  or  no  sail. 

The  Enterprise  and  Comus  had  been  examining  Turk's 
Island,  to  the  eastward  of  the  Caicos,  and  had  passed  to  the 
northward  of  it  on  the  larboard  tack,  standing  in  for  the 
northern  point  of  the  reef,  which  joined  on  to  the  great 
Caicos  Island.  They  were,  therefore,  in  a  situation  to  inter- 
cept the  Avenger  before  she  arrived  at  her  anchorage,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  reefs  which  barred  their  passage.  The  only 
plan  which  the  English  vessels  could  act  upon  was  to  beat  to 
the  southward,  so  as  to  arrive  at  the  entrance  of  the  passage, 
when  the  Enterprise  would,  of  course,  find  sufficient  water  to 
follow  the  Avenger;  for,  as  the  passage  was  too  narrow  to 
beat  through,  and  the  wind  was  from  the  southward,  the 
Avenger  could  not  possibly  escape.  She  was  caught  in  a 
trap ;  and  all  that  she  had  to  trust  to  was  the  defence  which 
she  might  be  able  to  make  in  her  stronghold  against  the  force 
which  could  be  employed  in  the  attack.  The  breeze  was 
fresh  from  the  southward,  and  appeared  inclined  to  increase, 
when  the  Comus  and  Enterprise  made  all  sail,  and  worked,  in 
short  tacks,  outside  the  reef. 

On  board  the  Avenger  the  enemy  and  their  motions  were 
clearly  distinguished,  .and  Cain  perceived  that  he  was  in  an 
awkward  dilemma.  That  they  would  be  attacked  he  had  no 
doubt;  and  although,  at  any  other  time,  he  would  almost 
have  rejoiced  in  such  an  opportunity  of  discomfiting  his 
assailants,  yet  now  he  thought  very  differently,  and  would 
have  sacrificed  almost  everything  to  have  been  able  to  avoid 
the  rencontre,  and  be  permitted  quietly  to  withdraw  himself 
from  his  associates,  without  the  spilling  of  more  blood.  Fran- 
cisco was  equally  annoyed  at  this  unfortunate  collision ;  but 
no  words  were  exchanged  between  him  and  the  pirate  captain 
during  the  time  that  they  were  on  deck. 

It  was  about  nine  o'clock,  when  having  safely  passed 
nearly  half  through  the  channel,  that  Cain  ordered  the 
134, 


THE  CAICOS 

kedge-anchor  to  be  dropped;  and  sent  down  the  people  to 
their  breakfast.  Francisco  went  down  into  the  cabin,  and 
was  explaining  their  situation  to  Clara,  when  Cain  entered. 
He  threw  himself  on  the  locker,  and  appeared  lost  in  deep 
and  sombre  meditation. 

"  What  do  you  intend  to  do  ?  "  said  Francisco. 

"  I  do  not  know ;  I  will  not  decide  myself,  Francisco," 
replied  Cain.  "  If  I  were  to  act  upon  my  own  judgment, 
probably  I  should  allow  the  schooner  to  remain  where  she  is. 
They  can  only  attack  in  the  boats,  and,  in  such  a  case,  I  do 
not  fear ;  whereas,  if  we  run  right  through,  we  allow  the 
other  schooner  to  follow  us,  without  defending  the  passage  ; 
and  we  may  be  attacked  by  her  in  the  deep  water  inside, 
and  overpowered  by  the  number  of  men  the  two  vessels  will 
be  able  to  bring  against  us.  On  the  other  hand,  we  certainly 
may  defend  the  schooner  from  the  shore  as  well  as  on  board  ; 
but  we  are  weak-handed.  I  shall,  however,  call  up  the  ship's 
company  and  let  them  decide.  God  knows,  if  left  to  me  I 
would  not  fight  at  all." 

"  Is  there  no  way  of  escape  ?  "  resumed  Francisco. 

"  Yes,  we  might  abandon  the  schooner ;  and  this  night, 
when  they  would  not  expect  it,  run  with  the  boats  through 
the  channel  between  the  great  island  and  the  north  Cayque  : 
but  that  I  dare  not  propose,  and  the  men  would  not  listen  to 
it ;  indeed,  I  very  much  doubt  if  the  enemy  will  allow  us 
the  time.  I  knew  this  morning,  long  before  we  saw  those 
vessels,  that  my  fate  would  be  decided  before  the  sun  went 
down." 

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  " 

"I  mean  this,  Francisco,"  said  Cain;  "that  your  mother, 
who  always  has  visited  me  in  my  dreams  whenever  anything 
(dreadful  now  to  think  of!)  was  about  to  take  place, 
appeared  to  me  last  night ;  and  there  was  sorrow  and  pity 
in  her  sweet  face  as  she  mournfully  waved  her  hand,  as  if 
to  summon  me  to  follow  her.  Yes,  thank  God  !  she  no  longer 
looked  upon  me  as  for  many  years  she  has  done." 
135 


THE   PIRATE 

Francisco  made  no  answer ;  and  Cain  again  seemed  to  be 
lost  in  meditation. 

After  a  little  while  Cain  rose,  and  taking  a  small  packet 
from  one  of  the  drawers,  put  it  into  the  hands  of  Francisco. 

"  Preserve  that/'  said  the  pirate  captain  ;  "  should  any  acci- 
dent happen  to  me  it  will  tell  you  who  was  your  mother  ;  and 
it  also  contains  directions  for  finding  treasure  which  I  have 
buried.  I  leave  everything  to  you,  Francisco.  It  has  been 
unfairly  obtained  ;  but  you  are  not  the  guilty  party,  and  there 
are  none  to  claim  it.  Do  not  answer  me  now.  You  may  find 
friends,  whom  you  will  make  after  I  am  gone,  of  the  same 
opinion  as  I  am.  I  tell  you  again,  be  careful  of  that  packet." 

"  I  see  little  chance  of  it  availing  me,"  replied  Francisco. 
"  If  I  live,  shall  I  not  be  considered  as  a  pirate  ?  " 

"  No,  no ;  you  can  prove  the  contrary." 

"  I  have  my  doubts.     But  God's  will  be  done  ! " 

"  Yes,  God's  will  be  done  ! "  said  Cain  mournfully.  "  I 
dared  not  have  said  that  a  month  ago."  And  the  pirate 
captain  went  on  deck,  followed  by  Francisco. 

The  crew  of  the  Avenger  were  summoned  aft,  and  called 
upon  to  decide  as  to  the  measures  they  considered  to  be 
most  advisable.  They  preferred  weighing  the  anchor  and 
running  into  the  bay,  where  they  would  be  able  to  defend 
the  schooner,  in  their  opinion,  much  better  than  by  remain- 
ing where  they  were. 

The  crew  of  the  pirate  schooner  weighed  the  anchor,  and 
continued  their  precarious  course  ;  the  breeze  had  freshened, 
and  the  water  was  in  strong  ripples,  so  that  they  could  no 
longer  see  the  danger  beneath  her  bottom.  In  the  mean- 
time, the  sloop  of  war  and  Enterprise  continued  to  turn  to 
windward  outside  the  reef. 

By  noon  the  wind  had  considerably  increased,  and  the 
breakers  now  turned  and  broke  in  wild  foam  over  the  coral 
reefs  in  every  direction.  The  sail  was  still  more  reduced  on 
board  the  Avenger,  and  her  difficulties  increased  from  the 
rapidity  of  her  motion. 

136 


THE  CAICOS 

A  storm-jib  was  set,  and  the  others  hauled  down ;  yet 
even  under  this  small  sail  she  flew  before  the  wind. 

Cain  stood  at  the  bowsprit,  giving  his  directions  to  the 
helmsman.  More  than  once  they  had  grazed  the  rocks  and 
were  clear  again.  Spars  were  towed  astern,  and  every  means 
resorted  to,  to  check  her  way.  They  had  no  guide  but  the 
breaking  of  the  wild  water  on  each  side  of  them. 

"  Why  should  not  Hawkhurst,  who  knows  the  passage  so 
well,  be  made  to  pilot  us  ?  "  said  the  boatswain  to  those  who 
were  near  him  on  the  forecastle. 

"  To  be  sure  !  let's  have  him  up  !  "  cried  several  of  the 
crew  ;  and  some  of  them  went  down  below. 

In  a  minute  they  reappeared  with  Hawkhurst,  whom  they 
led  forward.  He  did  not  make  any  resistance,  and  the  crew 
demanded  that  he  should  pilot  the  vessel. 

"  And  suppose  I  will  not  ?  "  said  Hawkhurst  coolly. 

"Then  you  lose  your  passage,  that's  all,"  replied  the  boat- 
swain. "  Is  it  not  so,  my  lads  ?  "  continued  he,  appealing  to 
the  crew. 

"  Yes ;  either  take  us  safe  in,  or — overboard,"  replied 
several. 

"  I  do  not  mind  that  threat,  my  lads,"  replied  Hawkhurst ; 
"you  have  all  known  me  as  a  good  man  and  true,  and  it's  not 
likely  that  I  shall  desert  you  now.  Well,  since  your  captain 
there  cannot  save  you,  I  suppose  I  must ;  but,"  exclaimed  he, 
looking  about  him,  "  how's  this  ?  We  are  out  of  the  passage 
already.  Yes — and  whether  we  can  get  into  it  again  I 
cannot  tell." 

"We  are  not  out  of  the  passage,"  said  Cain;  "you  know 
we  are  not." 

"  Well  then,  if  the  captain  knows  better  than  I,  he  had 
better  take  you  through,"  rejoined  Hawkhurst. 

But  the  crew  thought  differently,  and  insisted  that  Hawk- 
hurst, who  well  knew  the  channel,  should  take  charge.  Cain 
retired  aft,  as  Hawkhurst  went  out  on  the  bowsprit. 

"I  will  do  my  best,  my  lads,"  said  Hawkhurst;  "but 
137 


THE   PIRATE 

recollect,  if  we  strike  in  trying  to  get  into  the  right  channel, 
do  not  blame  me.  Starboard  a  little — starboard  yet— steady, 
so — there's  the  true  passage,  my  lads  ! "  cried  he,  pointing  to 
some  smoother  water  between  the  breakers  ;  "  port  a  little — 
steady." 

But  Hawkhurst,  who  knew  that  he  was  to  be  put  on  shore 
as  soon  as  convenient,  had  resolved  to  lose  the  schooner, 
even  if  his  own  life  were  forfeited,  and  he  was  now  running 
her  out  of  the  passage  on  the  rocks.  A  minute  after  he  had 
conned  her,  she  struck  heavily  again  and  again.  The  third 
time  she  struck,  she  came  broadside  to  the  wind  and  heeled 
over ;  a  sharp  coral  rock  found  its  way  through  her  slight 
timbers  and  planking,  and  the  water  poured  in  rapidly. 

During  this  there  was  a  dead  silence  on  the  part  of  the 
marauders. 

"  My  lads,"  said  Hawkhurst,  "  I  have  done  my  best,  and 
now  you  may  throw  me  overboard  if  you  please.  It  was  not 
my  fault,  but  his,"  continued  he,  pointing  to  the  captain. 

"  It  is  of  little  consequence  whose  fault  it  was,  Mr.  Hawk- 
hurst," replied  Cain ;  "  we  will  settle  that  point  by-and-by ; 
at  present  we  have  too  much  on  our  hands.  Out  boats,  men! 
as  fast  as  you  can,  and  let  every  man  provide  himself  with 
arms  and  ammunition.  Be  cool  !  the  schooner  is  fixed  hard 
enough,  and  will  not  go  down  ;  we  shall  save  everything 
by-and-by." 

The  pirates  obeyed  the  orders  of  the  caplain.  The  three 
boats  were  hoisted  out  and  lowered  down.  In  the  first  were 
placed  all  the  wounded  men  and  Clara  d'Alfarez,  who  was 
assisted  up  by  Francisco.  As  soon  as  the  men  had  provided 
themselves  with  arms,  Francisco,  to  protect  Clara,  offered  to 
take  charge  of  her,  and  the  boat  shoved  off. 

The  men-of-war  had  seen  the  Avenger  strike  on  the  rocks, 
and  the  preparations  of  the  crew  to  take  to  their  boats.  They 
immediately  hove-to,  hoisted  out  and  manned  their  own  boats, 
with  the  hopes  of  cutting  them  off  before  they  could  gain  the 
island  and  prepare  for  a  vigorous  defence ;  for,  although  the 
138 


THE  CAICOS 

vessels  could  not  approach  the  reefs,  there  was  sufficient 
water  in  many  places  for  the  boats  to  pass  over  them. 
Shortly  after  Francisco,  in  the  first  boat,  had  shoved  off 
from  the  Avenger,  the  boats  of  the  men-of-war  were  darting 
through  the  surf  to  intercept  them.  The  pirates  perceived 
this,  and  hastened  their  arrangements ;  a  second  boat  soon 
left  her,  and  into  that  Hawkhurst  leaped  as  it  was  shoving 
off.  Cain  remained  on  board,  going  round  the  lower  decks 
to  ascertain  if  any  of  the  wounded  men  were  left ;  he  then 
quitted  the  schooner  in  the  last  boat  and  followed  the  others, 
being  about  a  quarter  of  a  mile  astern  of  the  second,  in  which 
Hawkhurst  had  secured  his  place. 

At  the  time  that  Cain  quitted  the  schooner,  it  was  difficult 
to  say  whether  the  men-of-war's  boats  would  succeed  in  in- 
tercepting any  of  the  pirates'  boats.  Both  parties  exerted 
themselves  to  their  utmost ;  and  when  the  first  boat,  with 
Francisco  and  Clara,  landed,  the  headmost  of  the  assailants 
was  not  much  more  than  half  a  mile  from  them  ;  but  shallow 
water  intervening  there  was  a  delay,  which  was  favourable 
to  the  pirates.  Hawkhurst  landed  in  his  boat  as  the  launch 
of  the  Comus  fired  her  eighteen-pound  carronade.  The  last 
boat  was  yet  two  hundred  yards  from  the  beach,  when 
another  shot  from  the  Comus  s  launch,  which  had  been  unable 
hitherto  to  find  a  passage  through  the  reef,  struck  her  on  the 
counter,  and  she  filled  and  went  down. 

"He  is  gone!"  exclaimed  Francisco,  who  had  led  Clara 
to  a  cave,  and  stood  at  the  mouth  of  it  to  protect  her; 
"  they  have  sunk  his  boat — no,  he  is  swimming  to  the 
shore,  and  will  be  here  now,  long  before  the  English 
seamen  can  land." 

This  was  true.  Cain  was  breasting  the  water  manfully, 
making  for  a  small  cove  nearer  to  where  the  boat  was  sunk 
than  the  one  in  which  Francisco  had  landed  with  Clara  and 
the  wounded  men,  and  divided  from  the  other  by  a  ridge 
of  rocks  which  separated  the  sandy  beach,  and  extended  some 
way  into  the  water  before  they  were  submerged.  Francisco 
139 


THE   PIRATE 

could  easily  distinguish  the  pirate  captain  from  the  other 
men,  who  also  were  swimming  for  the  beach  ;  for  Cain  was 
far  ahead  of  them,  and  as  he  gained  nearer  to  the  shore 
he  was  shut  from  Francisco's  sight  by  the  ridge  of  rocks. 
Francisco,  anxious  for  his  safety,  climbed  up  the  rocks  and 
was  watching.  Cain  was  within  a  few  yards  of  the  beach 
when  there  was  a  report  of  a  musket  ;  the  pirate  captain 
was  seen  to  raise  his  body  convulsively  half  out  of  the  water 
— he  floundered — the  clear  blue  wave  was  discoloured— he 
sank,  and  was  seen  no  more. 

Francisco  darted  forward  from  the  rocks,  and  perceived 
Hawkhurst  standing  beneath  them  with  the  musket  in  his 
hand,  which  he  was  recharging. 

"Villain!"  exclaimed  Francisco,  "you  shall  account  for 
this." 

Hawkhurst  had  reprimed  his  musket  and  shut  the  pan. 

"  Not  to  you,"  replied  Hawkhurst,  levelling  his  piece,  and 
taking  aim  at  Francisco. 

The  ball  struck  Francisco  on  the  breast ;  he  reeled  back 
from  his  position,  staggered  across  the  sand,  gained  the  cave, 
and  fell  at  the  feet  of  Clara. 

"  O  God  ! "  exclaimed  the  poor  girl,  "  are  you  hurt  ?  who  is 
there,  then,  to  protect  me  ?  " 

"I  hardly  know,"  replied  Francisco  faintly;  and,  at  inter- 
vals, "  I  feel  no  wound.  I  feel  stronger  ;  "  and  Francisco  put 
his  hand  to  his  heart. 

Clara  opened  his  vest,  and  found  that  the  packet  given  to 
Francisco  by  Cain,  and  which  he  had  deposited  in  his  breast, 
had  been  struck  by  the  bullet,  which  had  done  him  no  injury 
further  than  the  violent  concussion  of  the  blow — notwith- 
standing he  was  faint  from  the  shock,  and  his  head  fell  upon 
Clara's  bosom. 

But  we  must  relate   the  proceedings  of  those  who  were 

mixed  up  in  this  exciting  scene.     Edward  Templemore  had 

watched  from  his  vessel,  with  an  eager  and  painful  curiosity, 

the  motions  of  the  schooner — her  running  on  the  rocks,  and 

140 


THE  CAICOS 

the  subsequent  actions  of  the  intrepid  marauders.  The  long 
telescope  enabled  him  to  perceive  distinctly  all  that  passed, 
and  his  feelings  were  increased  into  a  paroxsym  of  agony  when 
his  straining  eyes  beheld  the  white  and  fluttering  habiliments 
of  a  female  for  a  moment  at  the  gunwale  of  the  stranded 
vessel — her  descent,  as  it  appeared  to  him,  nothing  loth,  into 
the  boat — the  arms  held  out  to  receive,  and  the  extension  of 
hers  to  meet  those  offered.  Could  it  be  Clara  ?  Where  was 
the  reluctance,  the  unavailing  attempts  at  resistance,  which 
should  have  characterised  her  situation  ?  Excited  by  feel- 
ings which  he  dared  not  analyse,  he  threw  down  his  glass,  and 
seizing  his  sword,  sprang  into  his  boat,  which  was  ready 
manned  alongside,  desiring  the  others  to  follow  him.  For 
once,  and  the  only  time  in  his  existence  when  approaching 
the  enemy,  did  he  feel  his  heart  sink  within  him — a  cold 
tremor  ran  through  his  whole  frame,  and  as  he  called  to  mind 
the  loose  morals  and  desperate  habits  of  the  pirates,  horrible 
thoughts  entered  his  imagination.  As  he  neared  the  shore, 
he  stood  up  in  the  stern-sheets  of  the  boat,  pale,  haggard, 
and  with  trembling  lips ;  and  the  intensity  of  his  feelings 
would  have  been  intolerable  but  for  a  more  violent  thirst  for 
revenge.  He  clenched  his  sword,  while  the  quick  throbs  of 
his  heart,  seemed,  at  every  pulsation,  to  repeat  to  him  his 
thoughts  of  blood  !  blood  !  blood  !  He  approached  the  small 
bay  and  perceived  that  there  was  a  female  at  the  mouth  of 
the  cave — nearer  and  nearer,  and  he  was  certain  that  it  was 
his  Clara — her  name  was  on  his  lips  when  he  heard  the  two 
shots  fired  one  after  another  by  Hawkhurst — he  saw  the 
retreat  and  fall  of  Francisco — when,  madness  to  behold  !  he 
perceived  Clara  rush  forward,  and  there  lay  the  young  man 
supported  by  her,  and  with  his  head  upon  her  bosom. 
Could  he  believe  what  he  saw  ?  could  she  really  be  his 
betrothed !  Yes,  there  she  was,  supporting  the  handsome 
figure  of  a  young  man,  and  that  man  a  pirate — she  had 
even  put  her  hand  into  his  vest,  and  was  now  watching  over 
his  reviving  form.  Edward  could  bear  no  more  ;  he  covered 
141 


THE  PIRATE 

his  eyes,  and  now,  maddened  with  jealousy,  in  a  voice  of 
thunder,  he  called  out — 

"  Give  way,  my  lads  !  for  your  lives,  give  way  ! " 

The  gig  was  within  half-a-dozen  strokes  of  the  oar  from 
the  beach,  and  Clara,  unconscious  of  wrong,  had  just  taken 
the  packet  of  papers  from  Francisco's  vest,  when  Hawkhurst 
made  his  appearance  from  behind  the  rocks  which  separated 
the  two  little  sandy  coves.  Francisco  had  recovered  his 
breath,  and,  perceiving  the  approach  of  Hawkhurst,  he 
sprang  upon  his  feet  to  recover  his  musket ;  but,  before  he 
could  succeed,  Hawkhurst  had  closed  in  with  him,  and  a 
short  and  dreadful  struggle  ensued.  It  would  soon  have 
terminated  fatally  to  Francisco,  for  the  superior  strength  of 
Hawkhurst  had  enabled  him  to  bear  down  the  body  of  his 
opponent  with  his  knee,  and  he  was  fast  strangling  him 
by  twisting  his  handkerchief  round  his  throat,  while  Clara 
shrieked,  and  attempted  in  vain  to  tear  the  pirate  from  him. 
As  the  prostrate  Francisco  was  fast  blackening  into  a  corse, 
and  the  maiden  screamed  for  pity,  and  became  frantic  in 
her  efforts  for  his  rescue,  the  boat  dashed  high  up  on  the 
sand ;  and,  with  the  bound  of  a  maddened  ti^er,  Edward 
sprang  upon  Hawkhurst,  tearing  him  down  on  his  back,  and 
severing  his  wrist  with  his  sword-blade  until  his  hold  of  Fran- 
cisco was  relaxed,  and  he  wrestled  in  his  own  defence. 

"  Seize  him,  my  lad  ! "  said  Edward,  pointing  with  his  left 
hand  to  Hawkhurst ;  as  with  his  sword  directed  to  the 
body  of  Francisco  he  bitterly  continued,  "  This  victim  is 
mine  / "  But,  whatever  were  his  intentions,  they  were 
frustrated  by  Clara's  recognition,  who  shrieked  out,  "  My 
Edward  ! "  sprang  into  his  arms,  and  was  immediately  in 
a  state  of  insensibility. 

The  seamen  who  had  secured  Hawkhurst  looked  upon 
the  scene  with  curious  astonishment,  while  Edward  waited 
with  mingled  feelings  of  impatience  and  doubt  for  Clara's 
recovery,  he  wished  to  be  assured  by  her  that  he  was 
mistaken,  and  he  turned  again  and  again  from  her  face  to  that 
142 


THE  CA1COS 

of  Francisco,  who  was  fast  recovering.  During  this  painful 
suspense,  Hawkhurst  was  bound  and  made  to  sit  down. 

"  Edward  !  dear  Edward  ! "  said  Clara,  at  last,  in  a  faint 
voice,  clinging  more  closely  to  him  ;  "  and  am  I  then  rescued 
by  thee,  dearest ! " 

Edward  felt  the  appeal ;  but  his  jealousy  had  not  yet 
subsided. 

«  Who  is  that,  Clara  ?  "  said  he  sternly. 

"It  is  Francisco.      No  pirate,  Edward,  but  my  preserver." 

"  Ha,  ha  ! "  laughed  Hawkhurst,  with  a  bitter  sneer,,  for  he 
perceived  how  matters  stood. 

Edward  Templemore  turned  towards  him  with  an  inquir- 
ing look. 

"  Ha,  ha  ! "  continued  Hawkhurst ;  "  why,  he  is  the  captain's 
son  !  No  pirate,  eh  r  Well,  what  will  women  not  swear  to, 
to  save  those  they  dote  upon  !" 

"  If  the  captain's  son,"  said  Edward,  "  why  were  you  con- 
tending ?  " 

"  Because  just  now  I  shot  his  scoundrel  father." 

"  Edward ! "  said  Clara  solemnly,  "  this  is  no  time  for 
explanation,  but,  as  I  hope  for  mercy,  what  I  have  said  is 
true  ;  believe  not  that  villain." 

*'  Yes,"  said  Francisco,  who  was  now  sitting  up,  "  believe 
him  when  he  says  that  he  shot  the  captain,  for  that  is  true ; 
but,  sir,  if  you  value  your  own  peace  of  mind,  believe  nothing 
to  the  prejudice  of  that  young  lady." 

"  I  hardly  know  what  to  believe,"  muttered  Edward 
Templemore ;  "  but,  as  the  lady  says,  this  is  no  time  for  ex- 
planation. WTith  your  permission,  madam,"  said  he  to  Clara, 
"  my  coxswain  will  see  you  in  safety  on  board  of  the  schooner, 
or  the  other  vessel,  if  you  prefer  it ;  my  duty  will  not  allow 
me  to  accompany  you." 

Clara  darted  a  reproachful  yet  fond  look  on  Edward,  as, 

with  swimming  eyes,  she  was  led  by  the  coxswain  to  the  boat, 

which  had  been  joined  by  the  launch  of  the  Comus,  the  crew 

of  which  were  with  their  officers,  wading  to  the  beach.     The 

143 


THE  PIRATE 

men  of  the  gig  remained  until  they  had  given  Hawkhurst 
and  Francisco  in  charge  of  the  other  seamen,  and  then  shoved 
off  with  Clara  for  the  schooner.  Edward  Templemore  gave 
one  look  at  the  gig  as  it  conveyed  Clara  on  board,  and  order- 
ing Hawkhurst  and  Francisco  to  be  taken  to  the  launch,  and 
a  guard  to  be  kept  over  them,  went  up,  with  the  remainder 
of  the  men,  in  pursuit  of  the  pirates. 

During  the  scene  we  have  described,  the  other  boats  of 
the  men-of-war  had  landed  on  the  island,  and  the  Avenger's 
crew,  deprived  of  their  leaders,  and  scattered  in  every 
direction,  were  many  of  them  slain  or  captured.  In  about 
two  hours  it  was  supposed  that  the  majority  of  the  pirates 
had  been  accounted  for,  and  the  prisoners  being  now  very 
numerous,  it  was  decided  that  the  boats  should  return 
with  them  to  the  Comus,  the  captain  of  which  vessel,  as 
commanding-officer,  would  then  issue  orders  as  to  their  future 
proceedings. 

The  captured  pirates,  when  mustered  on  the  deck  of  the 
Comus,  amounted  to  nearly  sixty,  out  of  which  number  one- 
half  were  those  who  had  been  sent  on  shore  wounded,  and 
had  surrendered  without  resistance.  Of  killed  there  were 
fifteen ;  and  it  was  conjectured  that  as  many  more  had  been 
drowned  in  the  boat  when  she  was  sunk  by  the  shot  from 
the  carronade  of  the  launch.  Although,  by  the  account 
given  by  the  captured  pirates,  the  majority  were  secured,  yet 
there  was  reason  to  suppose  that  some  were  still  left  on  the 
island  concealed  in  the  caves. 

As  the  captain  of  the  Comus  had  orders  to  return  as  soon  as 
possible,  he  decided  to  sail  immediately  for  Port  Royal  with 
the  prisoners,  leaving  the  Enterprise  to  secure  the  remainder, 
if  there  were  any,  and  recover  anything  of  value  which 
might  be  left  in  the  wreck  of  the  Avenger,  and  then  to 
destroy  her. 

With  the  usual  celerity  of  the  service  these  orders  were 
obeyed.  The  pirates,  among  whom  Francisco  was  included, 
were  secured,  the  boats  hoisted  up,  and  in  half-an-hour  the 
144 


THE  TRIAL 

Comus  displayed  her  ensign,  and  made  all  sail  on  a 
wind,  leaving  Edward  Templemore,  with  the  Enterprise, 
at  the  back  of  the  reef,  to  perform  the  duties  entailed 
upon  him ;  and  Clara,  who  was  on  board  of  the  schooner 
to  remove  the  suspicion  and  jealousy  which  had  arisen  in 
the  bosom  of  her  lover. 


CHAPTER  XVII 

THE   TRIAL 

iN  a  week,  the  Comus  arrived  at  Port  Royal,  and  the  captain 
went  up  to  the  Penn  to  inform  the  admiral  of  the  successful 
result  of  the  expedition. 

"Thank  God,"  said  the  admiral,  "we  have  caught  these 
villains  at  last !  A  little  hanging  will  do  them  no  harm. 
The  captain,  you  say,  was  drowned  ?  " 

"  So  it  is  reported,  sir,"  replied  Captain  Manly ;  "  he  was 
in  the  last  boat  which  left  the  schooner,  and  she  was  sunk 
by  a  shot  from  the  launch." 

"  I  am  sorry  for  that ;  the  death  was  too  good  for  him. 
However,  we  must  make  an  example  of  the  rest ;  they  must 
be  tried  by  the  Admiralty  Court,  which  has  the  jurisdiction 
of  the  high  seas.  Send  them  on  shore,  Manly,  and  we  wash 
our  hands  of  them  " 

"  Very  good,  sir ;  but  there  are  still  some  left  on  the  island, 
we  have  reason  to  believe,  and  the  Enterprise  is  in  search  of 
them." 

"  By-the-bye,  did  Templemore  find  his  lady  ?  " 

"  Oh  yes,  sir ;  and — all's  right,  I  believe  :  but  I  had  very 
little  to  say  to  him  on  the  subject" 

"Humph  !"  replied  the  admiral.     "I  am  glad  to  hear  it. 

Well,  send  them  on  shore,  Manly,  to  the  proper  authorities. 

If  any  more  be  found,  they  must  be  hung  afterwards  when 

Templemore  brings  them  in.     I  am  more  pleased  at  having 

145  K 


THE   PIRATE 

secured  these  scoundrels  than  if  we  had  taken  a  French 
frigate." 

About  three  weeks  after  this  conversation.,  the  secretary 
reported  to  the  admiral  that  the  Enterprise  had  made  her 
number  outside ;  but  that  she  was  becalmed,  and  would  not 
probably  be  in  until  the  evening. 

"  That's  a  pity,"  replied  the  admiral ;  "  for  the  pirates  are 
to  be  tried  this  morning.  He  may  have  more  of  them  on 
board." 

"  Very  true,  sir ;  but  the  trial  will  hardly  be  over  to-day : 
the  judge  will  not  be  in  court  till  one  o'clock  at  the  soonest." 

"  It's  of  little  consequence,  certainly ;  as  it  is,  there  are  so 
many  that  they  must  be  hanged  by  divisions.  However,  as 
he  is  within  signal  distance,  let  them  telegraph  '  Pirates  now 
on  trial.'  He  can  pull  on  shore  in  his  gig,  if  he  pleases." 

It  was  about  noon  on  the  same  day  that  the  pirates,  and 
among  them  Francisco,  escorted  by  a  strong  guard,  were 
conducted  to  the  court-house  and  placed  at  the  bar.  The 
court-house  was  crowded  to  excess,  for  the  interest  excited 
was  intense. 

Many  of  them  who  had  been  wounded  in  the  attack  upon 
the  property  of  Don  Cumanos,  and  afterwards  captured,  had 
died  in  their  confinement.  Still  forty-five  were  placed  at 
the  bar ;  and  their  picturesque  costume,  their  bearded  faces, 
and  the  atrocities  which  they  had  committed,  created  in 
those  present  a  sensation  of  anxiety  mingled  with  horror  and 
indignation. 

Two  of  the  youngest  amongst  them  had  been  permitted 
to  turn  king's  evidence.  They  had  been  on  board  of  the 
Avenger  but  a  few  months ;  still  their  testimony  as  to  the 
murder  of  the  crews  of  three  West  India  ships,  and  the 
attack  upon  the  property  of  Don  Cumanos,  was  quite  sufficient 
to  condemn  the  remainder. 

Much  time  was  necessarily  expended  in  going  through  the 
forms  of  the  court ;  in  the  pirates  answering  to  their  various 
names;  and,  lastly,  in  taking  down  the  detailed  evidence  of 
146 


THE   TRIAL 

the  above  men.  It  was  late  when  the  evidence  was  read 
over  to  the  pirates,  and  they  were  asked  if  they  had  anything 
to  offer  in  their  defence.  The  question  was  repeated  by  the 
judge;  when  Hawkhurst  was  the  first  to  speak.  To  save 
himself  he  cou!d  scarcely  hope  ;  his  only  object  was  to  prevent 
Francisco  pleading  his  cause  successfully,  and  escaping  the 
same  disgraceful  death. 

Hawkhurst  declared  that  he  had  been  some  time  on  board 
the  Avenger,  but  that  he  had  been  taken  out  of  a  vessel  and 
forced  to  serve  against  his  will,  as  could  be  proved  by  the 
captain's  son,  who  stood  there  (pointing  to  Francisco),  who 
had  been  in  the  schooner  since  her  first  fitting  out :  that  he 
had  always  opposed  the  captain,  who  would  not  part  with 
him,  because  he  was  the  only  one  on  board  who  was  com- 
petent to  navigate  the  schooner :  that  he  had  intended  to 
rise  against  him,  and  take  the  vessel,  having  often  stimulated 
the  crew  so  to  do ;  and  that,  as  the  other  men,  as  well  as  the 
captain's  son,  could  prove,  if  they  chose,  he  actually  was  in 
confinement  for  that  attempt  when  the  schooner  was  entering 
the  passage  to  the  Caicos ;  and  that  he  was  only  released 
because  he  was  acquainted  with  the  passage,  and  threatened 
to  be  thrown  overboard  if  he  did  not  take  her  in :  that,  at 
every  risk,  he  had  run  her  on  the  rocks ;  and  aware  that  the 
captain  would  murder  him,  he  had  shot  Cain  as  he  was 
swimming  to  the  shore,  as  the  captain's  son  could  prove ; 
for  he  had  taxed  him  with  it,  and  he  was  actually  struggling 
with  him  for  life,  when  the  officers  and  boats'  crew  separated 
them,  and  made  them  both  prisoners :  that  he  hardly  expected 
that  Francisco,  the  captain's  son,  would  tell  the  truth  to  save 
him,  as  he  was  his  bitter  enemy,  and  in  the  business  at  the 
Magdalen  river,  which  had  been  long  planned  (for  Francisco 
had  been  sent  on  shore  under  the  pretence  of  being  wrecked, 
but,  in  fact,  to  ascertain  where  the  booty  was,  and  to  assist 
the  pirates  in  their  attack),  Francisco  had  taken  the  oppor- 
tunity of  putting  a  bullet  through  his  shoulder,  which  was 
well  known  to  the  other  pirates,  and  Francisco  could  not 
147 


THE   PIRATE 

venture  to  deny.  He  trusted  that  the  court  would  ordet 
the  torture  to  Francisco,  and  then  he  would  probably  speak 
the  truth  ;  at  all  events,  let  him  speak  now. 

When  Hawkhurst  had  ceased  to  address  the  court,  there 
was  an  anxious  pause  for  some  minutes.  The  day  was  fast 
declining,  and  most  parts  of  the  spacious  court-house  were 
already  deeply  immersed  in  gloom ;  while  the  light,  sober, 
solemn,  and  almost  sad,  gleamed  upon  the  savage  and  reck- 
less countenances  of  the  prisoners  at  the  bar.  The  sun  had 
sunk  down  behind  a  mass  of  heavy  yet  gorgeous  clouds, 
fringing  their  edges  with  molten  gold.  Hawkhurst  had 
spoken  fluently  and  energetically,  and  there  was  an  appear- 
ance of  almost  honesty  in  his  coarse  and  deep-toned  voice. 
Even  the  occasional  oaths  with  which  his  speech  was  garnished, 
but  which  we  have  omitted,  seemed  to  be  pronounced  more 
in  sincerity  than  in  blasphemy,  and  gave  a  more  forcible  im- 
pression to  his  narrative. 

We  have  said,  that  when  he  concluded  there  was  a  profound 
silence ;  and  amid  the  fast-falling  shadows  of  the  evening, 
those  who  were  present  began  to  feel,  for  the  first  time,  the 
awful  importance  of  the  drama  before  them,  the  number  of 
lives  which  were  trembling  upon  the  verge  of  existence, 
depending  upon  the  single  word  of  "  Guilty."  This  painful 
silence,  this  harrowing  suspense,  was  at  last  broken  by  a 
restrained  sob  from  a  female ;  but,  owing  to  the  obscurity 
involving  the  body  of  the  court,  her  person  could  not  be 
distinguished.  The  wail  of  woman  so  unexpected — for  who 
could  there  be  of  that  sex  interested  in  the  fate  of  these 
desperate  men? — touched  the  heart  of  its  auditors,  and  ap- 
peared to  sow  the  first  seeds  of  compassionate  and  humane 
feeling  among  those  who  had  hitherto  expressed  and  felt 
nothing  but  indignation  towards  the  prisoners. 

The  judge  upon  the  bench,  the  counsel  at  the  bar,  and 

the  jury  impannelled  in  their  box,  felt   the    force   of  the 

appeal ;   and  it  softened  down  the  evil  impression  created 

by  the  address  of  Hawkhurst  against  the  youthful  Francisco. 

148 


THE  TRIAL 

The  eyes  of  all  were  now  directed  towards  the  one  doubly 
accused — accused  not  only  by  the  public  prosecutor,  but 
even  by  his  associate  in  crime — and  the  survey  was  favour- 
able. They  acknowledged  that  he  was  one  whose  personal 
qualities  might  indeed  challenge  the  love  of  woman  in  his 
pride,  and  her  lament  in  his  disgrace ;  and  as  their  regard 
was  directed  towards  him,  the  sun,  which  had  been  obscured, 
now  pierced  through  a  break  in  the  mass  of  clouds,  and  threw 
a  portion  of  his  glorious  beams  from  a  window  opposite  upon 
him,  and  him  alone,  while  all  the  other  prisoners  who  sur- 
rounded him  were  buried  more  or  less  in  deep  shadow.  It 
was  at  once  evident  that  his  associates  were  bold  yet  com- 
monplace villains — men  who  owed  their  courage,  their  only 
virtue  perhaps,  to  their  habits,  to  their  physical  organisation, 
or  the  influence  of  those  around  them.  They  were  mere 
human  butchers,  with  the  only  adjunct  that,  now  that  the 
trade  was  to  be  exercised  upon  themselves,  they  could  bear 
it  with  sullen  apathy — a  feeling  how  far  removed  from  true 
fortitude  !  Even  Hawkhurst,  though  more  commanding  than 
the  rest,  with  all  his  daring  mien  and  scowl  of  defiance, 
looked  nothing  more  than  a  distinguished  ruffian.  With  the 
exception  of  Francisco,  the  prisoners  had  wholly  neglected 
their  personal  appearance ;  and  in  them  the  squalid  and 
sordid  look  of  the  mendicant  seemed  allied  with  the  ferocity 
of  the  murderer. 

Francisco  was  not  only  an  exception,  but  formed  a  beautiful 
contrast  to  the  others ;  and  as  the  evening  beams  lighted  up 
his  figure,  he  stood  at  the  bar,  if  not  with  all  the  splendour 
of  a  hero  of  romance,  certainly  a  most  picturesque  and  in- 
teresting personage,  elegantly  if  not  richly  attired. 

The  low  sobs  at  intervals  repeated,  as  if  impossible  to  be 
checked,  seemed  to  rouse  and  call  him  to  a  sense  of  the 
important  part  which  he  was  called  upon  to  act  in  the  tragedy 
there  and  then  performing.  His  face  was  pale,  yet  composed  ; 
his  mien  at  once  proud  and  sorrowful  ;  his  eye  was  bright, 
yet  his  glance  was  not  upon  those  in  court,  but  far  away, 
149 


THE   PIRATE 

fixed,  like  an  eagle's,  upon  the  gorgeous  beams  of  the  setting 
sun,  which  glowed  upon  him  through  the  window  that  was 
in  front  of  him. 

At  last  the  voice  of  Francisco  was  heard,  and  all  in  that 
wide  court  started  at  the  sound — deep,  full,  and  melodious 
as  the  evening  chimes.  The  ears  of  those  present  had,  in 
the  profound  silence,  but  just  recovered  from  the  harsh,  deep- 
toned,  and  barbarous  idiom  of  Hawkhurst's  address,  when 
the  clear,  silvery,  yet  manly  voice  of  Francisco  riveted  their 
attention.  The  jury  stretched  forth  their  heads,  the  counsel 
and  all  in  court  turned  anxiously  round  towards  the  prisoner, 
even  the  judge  held  up  his  forefinger  to  intimate  his  wish  for 
perfect  silence. 

"  My  lord  and  gentlemen/'  commenced  Francisco,  "  when 
I  first  found  myself  in  this  degrading  situation,  I  had  not 
thought  to  have  spoken  or  to  have  uttered  one  word  in  my 
defence.  He  that  has  just  now  accused  me  has  recommended 
the  torture  to  be  applied ;  he  has  already  had  his  wish,  for 
what  torture  can  be  more  agonising  than  to  find  myself 
where  I  now  am  ?  So  tortured,  indeed,  have  I  been  through 
a  short  yet  wretched  life,  that  I  have  "often  felt  that  anything 
short  of  self-destruction  which  would  release  me  would  be  a 
blessing ;  but  within  these  few  minutes  I  have  been  made  to 
acknowledge  that  I  have  still  feelings  in  unison  with  my 
fellow-creatures ;  that  I  am  not  yet  fit  for  death,  and  all  too 
young,  too  unprepared  to  die  :  for  who  would  not  reluctantly 
leave  this  world  while  there  is  such  a  beauteous  sky  to  love 
and  look  upon,  or  while  there  is  one  female  breast  who  holds 
him  innocent,  and  has  evinced  her  pity  for  his  misfortunes  ? 
Yes,  my  lord  !  mercy,  and  pity,  and  compassion,  have  not  yet 
fled  from  earth  ;  and  therefore  do  I  feel  I  am  too  young  to 
die.  God  forgive  me  !  but  I  thought  they  had — for  never 
have  they  been  shown  in  those  with  whom  by  fate  I  have 
been  connected ;  and  it  has  been  from  this  conviction  that  I 
have  so  often  longed  for  death.  And  now  may  that  righteous 
God  who  judges  us  not  here,  but  hereafter,  enable  me  to 
150 


THE  TRIAL 

prove  that  I  do  not  deserve  an  ignominious  punishment  from 
my  fellow-sinners— men ! 

"  My  lord,  I  know  riot  the  subtleties  of  the  laws,  nor  the 
intricacy  of  pleadings.  First,  let  me  assert  that  I  have  never 
robbed  ;  but  I  have  restored  unto  the  plundered  .  I  have 
never  murdered  ;  but  I  have  stood  between  the  assassin's 
knife  and  his  victim.  For  this  have  I  been  hated  and  reviled 
by  my  associates,  and  for  this  is  my  life  now  threatened  by 
those  laws  against  which  I  never  have  offended.  The  man 
who  last  addressed  you  has  told  you  that  I  am  the  pirate 
captain's  son;  it  is  the  assertion  of  the  only  irreclaimable 
and  utterly  remorseless  villain  among  those  who  now  stand 
before  you  to  be  judged — the  assertion  of  one  whose  glory, 
whose  joy,  whose  solace,  has  been  blood-shedding. 

"  My  lord,  I  had  it  from  the  mouth  of  the  captain  himself, 
previous  to  his  murder  by  that  man,  that  I  was  not  his  son. 
His  son !  thank  God,  not  so.  Connected  with  him  and  in 
his  power  I  was  most  certainly  and  most  incomprehensibly. 
Before  he  died,  he  delivered  me  a  packet  that  would  have 
told  me  who  I  am ;  but  I  have  lost  it,  and  deeply  have  I  felt 
the  loss.  One  only  fact  I  gained  from  him  whom  they  would 
call  my  father,  which  is,  that  with  his  own  hand  he  slew — 
yes,  basely  slew — my  mother." 

The  address  of  Francisco  was  here  interrupted  by  a  low 
deep  groan  of  anguish,  which  startled  the  whole  audience. 
It  was  now  quite  dark,  and  the  judge  ordered  the  court  to  be 
lighted  previous  to  the  defence  being  continued.  The  im- 
patience and  anxiety  of  those  present  were  shown  in  low 
murmurs  of  communication  until  the  lights  were  brought  in. 
The  word  "Silence  "  from  the  judge  produced  an  immediate 
obedience,  and  the  prisoner  was  ordered  to  proceed. 

Francisco  then  continued  his  address,  commencing  with 
the  remembrances  of  his  earliest  childhood.  As  he  warmed 
with  his  subject  he  became  more  eloquent ;  his  action 
became  energetical  without  violence ;  and  the  pallid  and 
modest  youth  gradually  grew  into  the  impassioned  and  in- 
151 


THE  PIRATE 

spired  orator.  He  recapitulated  rapidly,  yet  distinctly  and 
with  terrible  force,  all  the  startling  events  in  his  fearful  life. 
There  was  truth  in  the  tones  of  his  voice,  there  was  convic- 
tion in  his  animated  countenance,  there  was  innocence  in 
his  open  and  expressive  brow. 

All  who  heard  believed ;  and  scarcely  had  he  concluded 
his  address,  when  the  jury  appeared  impatient  to  rise  and 
give  their  verdict  in  his  favour.  But  the  judge  stood  up, 
and  addressing  the  jury,  told  them  that  it  was  his  most 
painful  duty  to  remind  them  that  as  yet  they  had  heard 
but  assertion,  beautiful  and  almost  convincing  assertion  truly  ; 
but  still  it  was  not  proof 

"  Alas  !  "  observed  Francisco,  "  what  evidence  can  I  bring 
forward,  except  the  evidence  of  those  around  me  at  the 
bar,  which  will  not  be  admitted  ?  Can  I  recall  the  dead 
from  the  grave  ?  Can  I  expect  those  who  have  been 
murdered  to  rise  again  to  assert  my  innocence  ?  Can  I 
expect  that  Don  Cumanos  will  appear  from  distant  leagues 
to  give  evidence  on  my  behalf?  Alas  !  he  knows  not  how 
I  am  situated,  or  he  would  have  flown  to  my  succour.  No, 
no ;  not  even  can  I  expect  that  the  sweet  Spanish  maiden, 
the  last  to  whom  I  offered  my  protection,  will  appear  in  such 
a  place  as  this  to  meet  the  bold  gaze  of  hundreds  ! " 

"  She  is  here  ! "  replied  a  manly  voice  ;  and  a  passage  was 
made  through  the  crowd ;  and  Clara,  supported  by  Edward 
Templemore,  dressed  in  his  uniform,  was  ushered  into  the 
box  for  the  witnesses.  The  appearance  of  the  fair  girl,  who 
looked  round  her  with  alarm,  created  a  great  sensation.  As 
soon  as  she  was  sufficiently  composed  she  was  sworn,  and  gave 
her  evidence  as  to  Francisco's  behaviour  during  the  time  that 
she  was  a  prisoner  on  board  of  the  Avenger.  She  produced  the 
packet  which  had  saved  the  life  of  Francisco,  and  substantiated 
a  great  part  of  his  defence.  She  extolled  his  kindness  and 
his  generosity  ;  and  when  she  had  concluded  every  one  asked 
of  himself,  "  Can  this  young  man  be  a  pirate  and  a  murderer  ?  " 
The  reply  was,  "  It  is  impossible." 
152 


THE  TRIAL 

"  My  lord/'  said  Edward  Templemore, "  I  request  permission  to 
ask  the  prisoner  a  question.  When  I  was  on  board  of  the  wreck 
of  the  Avenger,  I  found  this  book  floating  in  the  cabin.  I  wish 
to  ask  the  prisoner  whether,  as  that  young  lady  has  informed 
me,  it  is  his  ?  "  And  Edward  Templemore  produced  the  Bible. 

"  It  is  mine,"  replied  Francisco. 

"  May  I  ask  you  by  what  means  it  came  into  your  pos- 
session ?  " 

"  It  is  the  only  relic  left  of  one  who  is  now  no  more.  It 
was  the  consolation  of  my  murdered  mother  ;  it  has  since 
been  mine.  Give  it  to  me,  sir;  I  may  probably  need  its 
support  now  more  than  ever." 

"  Was  your  mother  murdered,  say  you  ? "  cried  Edward 
Templemore,  with  much  agitation. 

"  I  have  already  said  so ;  and  I  now  repeat  it." 

The  judge  again  rose,  and  recapitulated  the  evidence  to 
the  jury.  Evidently  friendly  to  Francisco,  he  was  obliged 
to  point  out  to  them,  that  although  the  evidence  of  the 
young  lady  had  produced  much  which  might  be  offered  in 
extenuation,  and  induce  him  to  submit  it  to  his  Majesty, 
in  hopes  of  his  gracious  pardon  after  condemnation,  yet,  that 
many  acts  in  which  the  prisoner  had  been  involved  had  en- 
dangered his  life,  and  no  testimony  had  been  brought  forward 
to  prove  that  he  had  not,  at  one  time,  acted  with  the  pirates, 
although  he  might  since  have  repented.  They  would,  of 
course,  remember  that  the  evidence  of  the  mate,  Hawkhurst, 
was  not  of  any  value,  and  must  dismiss  any  impression  which 
it  might  have  made  against  Francisco.  At  the  same  time 
he  had  the  unpleasant  duty  to  point  out,  that  the  evidence 
of  the  Spanish  lady  was  so  far  prejudicial,  that  it  pointed 
out  the  good  terms  subsisting  between  the  young  man  and 
the  pirate  captain.  Much  as  he  was  interested  in  his  fate, 
he  must  reluctantly  remind  the  jury,  that  the  evidence  on 
the  whole  was  not  sufficient  to  clear  the  prisoner;  and  he 
considered  it  their  duty  to  return  a  verdict  of  guilty  against 
all  the  prisoners  at  the  bar. 

153 


THE   PIRATE 

"  My  lord,"  said  Edward  Templemore,  a  few  seconds  after 
the  judge  had  resumed  his  seat,  "may  not  the  contents  of 
this  packet,  the  seal  of  which  I  have  not  ventured  to  break, 
afford  some  evidence  in  favour  of  the  prisoner  ?  Have  you 
any  objection  that  it  should  be  opened  previous  to  the  jury 
delivering  their  verdict  ?  " 

"  None,"  replied  the  judge ;  "  but  what  are  its  supposed 
contents  ? " 

"The  contents,  my  lord/'  replied  Francisco,  "are  in  the 
writing  of  the  pirate  captain.  He  delivered  that  packet  into 
my  hands  previous  to  our  quitting  the  schooner,  stating  that 
it  would  inform  me  who  were  my  parents.  My  lord,  in  my 
present  situation  I  claim  that  packet,  and  refuse  that  its  con- 
tents shall  be  read  in  court.  If  I  am  to  die  an  ignominious 
death,  at  least  those  who  are  connected  with  me  shall  not 
have  to  blush  at  my  disgrace,  for  the  secret  of  my  parentage 
shall  die  with  me." 

"  Nay — nay ;  be  ruled  by  me,"  replied  Edward  Temple- 
more,  with  much  emotion.  "  In  the  narrative,  the  hand- 
writing of  which  can  be  proved  by  the  king's  evidence,  there 
may  be  acknowledgment  of  all  you  have  stated,  and  it  will 
be  received  as  evidence ;  will  it  not,  my  lord  ?  " 

"If  the  handwriting  is  proved,  I  should  think  it  may," 
replied  the  judge  ;  "  particularly  as  the  lady  was  present 
when  the  packet  was  delivered,  and  heard  the  captain's 
assertion.  Will  you  allow  it  to  be  offered  as  evidence,  young 
man  ? " 

"No,  my  lord,"  replied  Francisco;  "unless  I  have  per- 
mission first  to  peruse  it  myself.  I  will  not  have  its  contents 
divulged,  unless  I  am  sure  of  an  honourable  acquittal.  The 
jury  must  deliver  their  verdict." 

The  jury  turned  round  to  consult,  during  which  Edward 
Templemore  walked  to  Francisco,  accompanied  by  Clara,  to 
entreat  him  to  allow  the  packet  to  be  opened ;  but  Francisco 
was  firm  against  both  their  entreaties.  At  last  the  foreman 
of  the  jury  rose  to  deliver  the  verdict.  A  solemn  and  awful 
154 


THE  TRIAL 

rilence  prevailed  throughout   the  court;   the  suspense  was 
paint'ii!  U>  a  degree. 

"My  lord,"  said  the  foreman  of  the  jury,  "our  verdict 
is " 

"  Stop,  sir  ! "  said  Edward  Templemore,  as  he  clasped  one 
arm  round  the  astonished  Francisco,  and  extended  the  other 
towards  the  foreman.  "  Stop,  sir  !  harm  him  not !  for  he  is 
my  brother ! " 

"  And  my  preserver ! "  cried  Clara,  kneeling  on  the  othef 
side  of  Francisco,  and  holding  up  her  hands  in  supplication. 

The  announcement  was  electrical ;  the  foreman  dropped 
into  his  seat ;  the  judge  and  whole  court  were  in  mute 
astonishment.  The  dead  silence  was  followed  by  confusion, 
which,  after  a  time,  the  judge  in  vain  attempted  to  put  a 
stop  to. 

Edward  Templemore,  Clara,  and  Francisco,  continued  to 
form  the  same  group ;  and  never  was  there  one  more  beauti- 
ful. And  now  that  they  were  together,  every  one  in  court 
perceived  the  strong  resemblance  between  the  two  young 
men. 

Francisco's  complexion  was  darker  than  Edward's,  from  his 
constant  exposure,  from  infancy,  to  tropical  sun ;  but  the 
features  of  the  two  were  the  same. 

It  was  some  time  before  the  judge  could  obtain  silence  in 
the  court ;  and  when  it  had  been  obtained,  he  was  himself 
puzzled  how  to  proceed. 

Edward  and  Francisco,  who  had  exchanged  a  few  words, 
were  now  standing  side  by  side. 

"  My  lord,"  said  Edward  Templemore,  "  the  prisoner  con- 
sents that  the  packet  shall  be  opened." 

"I  do,"  said  Francisco  mournfully;  "although  I  have  but 
little  hope  from  its  contents.  Alas  !  now  that  I  have  every- 
thing to  live  for — now  that  I  cling  to  life,  I  feel  as  if  every 
chance  was  gone !  The  days  of  miracles  have  passed ;  and 
nothing  but  the  miracle  of  the  reappearance  of  the  pirate 
captain  from  the  grave  can  prove  my  innocence." 
155 


THE   PIRATE 

"  He  reappears  from  the  grave  to  prove  thine  innocence, 
Francisco!"  said  a  deep,  hollow  voice,  which  startled  the 
whole  court,  and  most  of  all  Hawkhurst  and  the  prisoners  at 
the  bar.  Still  more  did  fear  and  horror  distort  their  counte- 
nances when  into  the  witness-box  stalked  the  giant  form  of 
Cain. 

But  it  was  no  longer  the  figure  which  we  have  described  in 
the  commencement  of  this  narrative ;  his  beard  had  been  re- 
moved, and  he  was  pale,  wan,  and  emaciated.  His  sunken 
eyes,  his  hollow  cheek,  and  a  short  cough,  which  interrupted 
his  speech,  proved  that  his  days  were  nearly  at  a  close. 

"  My  lord,"  said  Cain,  addressing  the  judge,  "  1  am  the 
pirate  Cain,  and  was  the  captain  of  the  Avenger!  Still  am  I 
free  !  I  come  here  voluntarily,  that  I  may  attest  the  inno- 
cence of  that  young  man  !  As  yet,  my  hand  has  not  known 
the  manacle,  nor  my  feet  the  gyves !  I  am  not  a  prisoner, 
nor  included  in  the  indictment,  and  at  present  my  evidence 
is  good.  None  know  me  in  this  court,  except  those  whose 
testimony,  as  prisoners,  is  unavailing ;  and  therefore,  to  save 
that  boy,  and  only  to  save  him,  I  demand  that  I  may  be 
sworn." 

The  oath  was  administered  with  more  than  usual  solemnity. 

"  My  lord,  and  gentlemen  of  the  jury,  I  have  been  in  court 
since  the  commencement  of  the  trial,  and  I  declare  that 
every  word  which  Francisco  has  uttered  in  his  own  defence 
is  true.  He  is  totally  innocent  of  any  act  of  piracy  or 
murder ;  the  packet  would,  indeed,  have  proved  as  much : 
but  in  that  packet  there  are  secrets  which  I  wished  to  remain 
unknown  to  all  but  Francisco ;  and,  rather  than  it  should 
be  opened,  I  have  come  forward  myself.  How  that  young 
officer  discovered  that  Francisco  is  his  brother  I  know  not ; 
but  if  he  also  is  the  son  of  Cecilia  Templemore,  it  is  true. 
But  the  packet  will  explain  all. 

"And  now,  my  lords,  that  my  evidence  is  received,  I  am 
content;  I  have  done  one  good  deed  before  I  die,  and  I 
surrender  myself,  as  a  pirate  and  a  foul  murderer,  to  justice. 
156 


THE  TRIAL 

True,  my  life  is  nearly  closed— thanks  to  that  villain  there; 
but  I  prefer  that  I  should  meet  that  death  I  merit,,  as  an 
expiation  of  my  many  deeds  of  guilt." 

Cain  then  turned  to  Hawkhurst,  who  was  close  to  him,  but 
the  mate  appeared  to  be  in  a  state  of  stupor ;  he  had  not  re- 
covered from  his  first  terror,  and  still  imagined  the  appearance 
of  Cain  to  be  supernatural. 

"Villain!"  exclaimed  Cain,  putting  his  mouth  close  to 
Hawkhurst's  ear ;  "  doubly  d— d  villain  !  thou'lt  die  like  a 
dog,  and  unrevenged  !  The  boy  is  safe,  and  I'm  alive  !  " 

"  Art  thou  really  living  ?  "  said  Hawkhurst,  recovering  from 
his  fear. 

"  Yes,  living — yes,  flesh  and  blood  ;  feel,  wretch  !  feel  this 
arm,  and  be  convinced  ;  thou  hast  felt  the  power  of  it  before 
now,"  continued  Cain  sarcastically.  "  And  now,  my  lord,  I 
have  done ;  Francisco,  fare  thee  well  !  I  loved  thee,  and 
have  proved  my  love.  Hate  not  then  my  memory,  and  for- 
give me — yes,  forgive  me  when  I'm  no  more,"  said  Cain, 
who  then  turned  his  eyes  to  the  ceiling  of  the  court-house. 
"  Yes,  there  she  is,  Francisco  ! — there  she  is  !  and  see," 
cried  he,  extending  both  arms  above  his  head,  "  she  smiles 
upon  —  yes,  Francisco,  your  sainted  mother  smiles  and 
pardons " 

The  sentence  was  not  finished ;  for  Hawkhurst,  when 
Cain's  arms  were  upheld,  perceived  his  knife  in  his  girdle, 
and,  with  the  rapidity  of  thought,  he  drew  it  out,  and  passed 
it  through  the  body  of  the  pirate  captain. 

Cain  fell  heavily  on  the  floor,  while  the  court  was  again 
in  confusion.  Hawkhurst  was  secured,  and  Cain  raised  from 
the  ground. 

"I  thank  thee,  Hawkhurst!"  said  Cain,  in  an  expiring 
voice ;  "  another  murder  thou  hast  to  answer  for ;  and  you 
have  saved  me  from  the  disgrace,  not  of  the  gallows,  but  of 
the  gallows  in  thy  company.  Francisco,  boy,  farewell ! "  and 
Cain  groaned  deeply,  and  expired. 

Thus  perished  the  renowned  pirate  captain,  who  in  his 
157 


THE  PIRATE 

life   had  shed   so  much  blood,  and  whose  death  produced 
another  murder.     "  Blood  for  blood  !  " 

The  body  was  removed ;  and  it  now  remained  but  for  the 
jury  to  give  their  verdict.  All  the  prisoners  were  found 
guilty,  with  the  exception  of  Francisco,  who  left  the  dock 
accompanied  by  his  newly-found  brother,  and  the  congratula- 
tions of  every  individual  who  could  gain  access  to  him. 


CHAPTER  XVIII 

CONCLUSION 

OUR  first  object  will  be  to  explain  to  the  reader  by  what 
means  Edward  Templemore  was  induced  to  surmise  that  in 
Francisco,  whom  he  had  considered  as  a  rival,  he  had  found 
a  brother ;  and  also  to  account  for  the  reappearance  of  the 
pirate  Cain. 

In  pursuance  of  his  orders,  Edward  Templemore  had 
proceeded  on  board  of  the  wreck  of  the  Avenger ;  and  while 
his  men  were  employed  in  collecting  articles  of  great  value 
which  were  on  board  of  her,  he  had  descended  into  the  cabin, 
which  was  partly  under  water.  Here  he  had  picked  up  a 
book  floating  near  the  lockers,  and  on  examination  found  it 
to  be  a  Bible. 

Surprised  at  seeing  such  a  book  on  board  of  a  pirate,  he 
had  taken  it  with  him  when  he  returned  to  the  Enterprise, 
and  had  shown  it  to  Clara,  who  immediately  recognised  it  as 
the  property  of  Francisco.  The  book  was  saturated  with  the 
salt  water,  and  as  Edward  mechanically  turned  over  the 
pages,  he  referred  to  the  title-page  to  see  if  there  was  any 
name  upon  it.  There  was  not ;  but  he  observed  that  the 
blank  or  fly-leaf  next  to  the  binding  had  been  pasted  down, 
and  that  there  was  writing  on  the  other  side.  In  its  present 
state  it  was  easily  detached  from  the  cover;  and  then,  to 
his  astonishment,  he  read  the  name  of  Cecilia  Templemore — 
158 


CONCLUSION 

his  own  mother.  He  knew  well  the  history;  how  he  had 
been  saved,  and  his  mother  and  brother  supposed  to  be  lost ; 
and  it  may  readily  be  imagined  how  great  was  his  anxiety 
to  ascertain  by  what  means  her  Bible  had  come  into  the 
possession  of  Francisco.  He  dared  not  think  Francisco  was 
his  brother — that  he  was  so  closely  connected  with  one  he 
still  supposed  to  be  a  pirate :  but  the  circumstance  was 
possible ;  and  although  he  had  intended  to  have  remained  a 
few  days  longer,  he  now  listened  to  the  entreaties  of  Clara, 
whose  peculiar  position  on  board  was  only  to  be  justified  by 
the  peculiar  position  from  which  she  had  been  rescued,  and 
returning  that  evening  to  the  wreck  he  set  fire  to  her,  and 
then  made  all  sail  for  Port  Royal. 

Fortunately  he  arrived,  as  we  have  stated,  on  the  day  of 
the  trial ;  and  as  soon  as  the  signal  was  made  by  the  admiral 
he  immediately  manned  his  gig,  and  taking  Clara  with  him, 
in  case  her  evidence  might  be  of  use,  arrived  at  the  court- 
house when  the  trial  was  about  half  over. 

In  our  last  chapter  but  one,  we  stated  that  Cain  had  been 
wounded  by  Hawkhurst,  when  he  was  swimming  on  shore, 
and  had  sunk  ;  the  ball  had  entered  his  chest,  and  passed 
through  his  lungs.  The  contest  between  Hawkhurst  and 
Francisco,  and  their  capture  by  Edward,  had  taken  place  on 
the  other  side  of  the  ridge  of  rocks,  in  the  adjacent  cove,  and 
although  Francisco  had  seen  Cain  disappear,  and  concluded 
that  he  was  dead,  it  was  not  so ;  he  had  again  risen  above 
the  water,  and  dropping  his  feet  and  finding  bottom,  he  con- 
trived to  crawl  out,  and  wade  into  a  cave  adjacent,  where  he 
lay  down  to  die. 

But  in  this  cave  there  was  one  of  the  Avenger's  boats,  two 
of  the  pirates,  mortally  wounded,  and  the  four  Kroumen, 
who  had  concealed  themselves  there  with  the  intention  of 
taking  no  part  in  the  conflict,  and  as  soon  as  it  became  dark 
of  making  their  escape  in  the  boat,  which  they  had  hauled 
up  dry  into  the  cave. 

Cain  staggered  in,  recovered  the  dry  land,  and  fell. 
159 


THE   PIRATE 

Pompey,  the  Krouman,  perceiving  his  condition,  went  to  his 
assistance  and  bound  up  his  wound,  and  the  stanching  of  the 
blood  soon  revived  the  pirate  captain.  The  other  pirates 
died  unaided. 

Although  the  island  was  searched  in  every  direction,  this 
cave,  from  the  water  flowing  into  it,  escaped  the  vigilance  of 
the  British  seamen ;  and  when  they  re-embarked  with  the 
majority  of  the  pirates  captured,  Cain  and  the  Kroumen  were 
undiscovered. 

As  soon  as  it  was  dark  Cain  informed  them  of  his  inten- 
tions ;  and  although  the  Kroumen  would  probably  have  left 
him  to  his  fate,  yet,  as  they  required  his  services  to  know 
how  to  steer  to  some  other  island,  he  was  assisted  into  the 
stern-sheets,  and  the  boat  was  backed  out  of  the  cave. 

By  the  directions  of  Cain  they  passed  through  the  passage 
between  the  great  island  and  the  northern  Caique,  and  before 
daylight  were  far  away  from  any  chance  of  capture. 

Cain  had  now  to  a  certain  degree  recovered,  and  knowing 
that  they  were  in  the  channel  of  the  small  traders,  he  pointed 
out  to  the  Kroumen  that,  if  supposed  to  be  pirates,  they 
would  inevitably  be  punished,  although  not  guilty,  and  that 
they  must  pass  off  as  the  crew  of  a  small  coasting-vessel 
which  had  been  wrecked.  He  then,  with  the  assistance  of 
Pompey,  cut  off  his  beard  as  close  as  he  could,  and  arranged 
his  dress  in  a  more  European  style.  They  had  neither  water 
nor  provisions,  and  were  exposed  to  a  vertical  sun.  Fortu- 
nately for  them,  and  still  more  fortunately  for  Francisco,  on 
the  second  day  they  were  picked  up  by  an  American  brig 
bound  to  Antigua. 

Cain  narrated  his  fictitious  disasters,  but  said  nothing  about 
his  wound,  the  neglect  of  which  would  certainly  have  occa- 
sioned his  death  a  very  few  days  after  he  appeared  at  the 
trial,  had  he  not  fallen  by  the  malignity  of  Hawkhurst. 

Anxious  to  find  his  way  to  Port  Royal,  for  he  was  indif- 
ferent as  to  his  own  life,  and  only  wished  to  save  Francisco, 
he  was  overjoyed  to  meet  a  small  schooner  trading  between 
160 


CONCLUSION 

the  islands,  bound  to  Port  Royal.  In  that  vessel  he  obtained 
a  passage  for  himself  and  the  Kroumen,  and  had  arrived 
three  days  previous  to  the  trial,  and  during  that  time  had 
remained  concealed  until  the  day  that  the  Admiralty  Court 
assembled. 

It  may  be  as  well  here  to  remark  that  Cain's  reason  for  not 
-wishing  the  packet  to  be  opened  was,  that  among  the  other 
papers  relative  to  Francisco  were  directions  for  the  recovery 
of  the  treasure  which  he  had  concealed,  and  which,  of  course, 
he  wished  to  be  communicated  to  Francisco  alone. 

We  will  leave  the  reader  to  imagine  what  passed  between 
Francisco  and  Edward  after  the  discovery  of  their  kindred, 
and  proceed  to  state  the  contents  of  the  packet,  which  the 
twin-brothers  now  opened  in  the  presence  of  Clara  alone. 

We  must,  however,  condense  the  matter,  which  was  very 
voluminous.  It  stated  that  Cain,  whose  real  name  was  Charles 
Osborne,  had  sailed  in  a  fine  schooner  from  Bilboa,  for  the 
coast  of  Africa,  to  procure  a  cargo  of  slaves ;  and  had  been 
out  about  twenty-four  hours  when  the  crew  perceived  a  boat, 
apparently  with  no  one  in  her,  floating  about  a  mile  ahead  of 
them.  The  water  was  then  smooth,  and  the  vessel  had  but 
little  way.  As  soon  as  they  came  up  with  the  boat,  they 
lowered  down  their  skiff  to  examine  her. 

The  men  sent  in  the  skiff  soon  returned,  towing  the  boat 
alongside.  Lying  at  the  bottom  of  the  boat  were  found 
several  men  almost  dead,  and  reduced  to  skeletons,  and  in 
the  stern-sheets  a  negro  woman,  with  a  child  at  her  breast, 
and  a  white  female  in  the  last  state  of  exhaustion. 

Osborne  was  then  a  gay  and  unprincipled  man,  but  not  a 
hardened  villain  and  murderer,  as  he  afterwards  became ;  he 
had  compassion  and  feeling.  They  were  all  taken  on  board 
the  schooner :  some  recovered,  others  were  too  much  ex- 
hausted. Among  those  restored  was  Cecilia  Templemore 
and  the  infant,  who  at  first  had  been  considered  quite  dead  ; 
but  the  negro  woman,  exhausted  by  the  demands  of  her 
nursling  and  her  privations,  expired  as  she  was  being  removed 
161  L 


THE   PIRATE 

from  the  boat.  A  goat,  that  fortunately  was  on  board, 
proved  a  substitute  for  the  negress ;  and  before  Osborne  had 
arrived  off  the  coast,  the  child  had  recovered  its  health  and 
vigour,  and  the  mother  her  extreme  beauty. 

We  must  now  pass  over  a  considerable  portion  of  the 
narrative.  Osborne  was  impetuous  in  his  passions,  and 
Cecilia  Templemore  became  his  victim.  He  had,  indeed, 
afterwards  quieted  her  qualms  of  conscience  by  a  pretended 
marriage,  when  he  arrived  at  the  Brazils  with  his  cargo  of 
human  flesh.  But  that  was  little  alleviation  of  her  sufferings  ; 
she  who  had  been  indulged  in  every  luxury,  who  had  been 
educated  with  the  greatest  care,  was  now  lost  for  ever,  an 
outcast  from  the  society  to  which  she  could  never  hope  to 
return,  and  associating  with  those  she  both  dreaded  and 
despised.  She  passed  her  days  and  her  nights  in  tears ;  and 
had  soon  more  cause  for  sorrow  from  the  brutal  treatment 
she  received  from  Osborne,  who  had  been  her  destroyer. 
Her  child  was  her  only  solace  ;  but  for  him,  and  the  fear  of 
leaving  him  to  the  demoralising  influence  of  those  about 
him,  she  would  have  laid  down  and  died .  but  she  lived  for 
him — for  him  attempted  to  recall  Osborne  from  his  career 
of  increasing  guilt — bore  meekly  with  reproaches  and  with 
blows.  At  last  Osborne  changed  his  nefarious  life  for  one 
of  deeper  guilt :  he  became  a  pirate,  and  still  carried  with 
him  Cecilia  and  her  child. 

This  was  the  climax  of  her  misery ;  she  now  wasted  from 
day  to  day,  and  grief  would  soon  have  terminated  her 
existence,  had  it  not  been  hastened  by  the  cruelty  of  Cain, 
who,  upon  an  expostulation  on  her  part,  followed  up  with 
a  denunciation  of  the  consequences  of  his  guilty  career, 
struck  her  with  such  violence  that  she  sank  under  the  blow. 
She  expired  with  a  prayer  that  her  child  might  be  rescued 
from  a  life  of  guilt ;  and  when  the  then  repentant  Cain  pro- 
mised what  he  never  did  perform,  she  blessed  him,  too,  before 
she  died. 

Such  was  the  substance  of  the  narrative,  as  far  as  it  related 
162 


CONCLUSION 

to  the  unfortunate  mother  of  these  two  young  men,  who, 
when  they  had  concluded,  sat  hand-in-hand  in  mournful 
silence.  This,  however,  was  soon  broken  by  the  innumer- 
able questions  asked  by  Edward  of  his  brother,  as  to  what 
he  could  remember  of  their  ill-fated  parent,  which  were 
followed  up  by  the  history  of  Francisco's  eventful  life. 

"  And  the  treasure,  Edward,"  said  Francisco  ;  "  I  cannot 
take  possession  of  it." 

"  No,  nor  shall  you  either,"  replied  Edward  ;  "  it  belongs 
to  the  captors,  and  must  be  shared  as  prize-money.  You 
will  never  touch  one  penny  of  it  ;  but  I  shall,  I  trust,  pocket 
a  very  fair  proportion  of  it !  However,  keep  this  paper,  as 
it  is  addressed  to  you." 

The  admiral  had  been  made  acquainted  with  all  the 
particulars  of  this  eventful  trial,  and  had  sent  a  message 
to  Edward,  requesting  that,  as  soon  as  he  and  his  brother 
could  make  it  convenient,  he  would  be  happy  to  see  them 
at  the  Penn,  as  well  as  the  daughter  of  the  Spanish  governor, 
whom  he  must  consider  as  being  under  his  protection  during 
the  time  that  she  remained  at  Port  Royal.  This  offer  was 
gladly  accepted  by  Clara ;  and  011  the  second  day  after  the 
trial  they  proceeded  up  to  the  Penn.  Clara  and  Francisco 
were  introduced,  and  apartments  and  suitable  attendance 
provided  for  the  former. 

"  Templemore,"  said  the  admiral,  "  I'm  afraid  I  must  send 
you  away  to  Porto  Rico,  to  assure  the  governor  of  his 
daughter's  safety." 

"  I  would  rather  you  would  send  some  one  else,  sir,  and  I'll 
assure  her  happiness  in  the  meantime." 

"What!  by  marrying  her  ?  Humph!  you've  a  good  opinion 
of  yourself!  Wait  till  you're  a  captain,  sir." 

"  I  hope  I  shall  not  have  to  wait  long,  sir,"  replied  Edward 
demurely. 

"  By-the-bye,"  said  the  admiral,  "did  you  not  say  you  have 
notice  of  treasure  concealed  in  those  islands  ?  " 

"  My  brother  has  :  I  have  not." 
163 


THE   PIRATE 

"  We  must  send  for  it.  I  think  we  must  send  you,  Edward. 
Mr.  Francisco,  you  must  go  with  him." 

"  With  pleasure,  sir/'  replied  Francisco,  laughing ;  "  but 
I  think  I'd  rather  wait  till  Edward  is  a  captain  !  His  wife 
and  his  fortune  ought  to  come  together.  I  think  I  shall  not 
deliver  up  my  papers  until  the  day  of  his  marriage  ! " 

"  Upon  my  word,"  said  Captain  Manly,  "  I  wish,  Temple- 
more,  you  had  your  commission,  for  there  seems  so  much 
depending  on  it — the  young  lady's  happiness,  my  share  of 
the  prize-money,  and  the  admiral's  eighth.  Really,  admiral, 
it  becomes  a  common  cause  ;  and  I'm  sure  he  deserves  it !  " 

"  So  do  I,  Manly,"  replied  the  admiral  ;  "  and  to  prove  that 
I  have  thought  so,  here  comes  Mr.  Hadley  with  it  in  his 
hand  :  it  only  wants  one  little  thing  to  complete  it " 

"  Which  is  your  signature,  admiral,  I  presume,"  replied 
Captain  Manly,  taking  a  pen  full  of  ink,  and  presenting  it 
to  his  senior  officer. 

"  Exactly,"  replied  the  admiral,  scribbling  at  the  bottom 
of  the  paper ;  "  and  now — it  does  not  want  that.  Captain 
Templemore,  I  wish  you  joy  !  " 

Edward  made  a  very  low  obeisance,  as  his  flushed  counte- 
nance indicated  his  satisfaction. 

"  I  cannot  give  commissions,  admiral,"  said  Francisco,  pre- 
senting a  paper  in  return  ;  "  but  I  can  give  information — and 
you  will  find  it  not  unimportant — for  the  treasure  appears  of 
great  value." 

"  God  bless  my  soul !  Manly,  you  must  start  at  daylight  !  " 
exclaimed  the  admiral ;  "  why,  there  is  enough  to  load  your 
sloop  !  There  ! — read  it ! — and  then  I  will  write  your  orders, 
and  enclose  a  copy  of  it,  for  fear  of  accident." 

"  That  was  to  have  been  my  fortune,"  said  Francisco,  with 
a  grave  smile ;  "but  I  would  not  touch  it." 

"  Very  right,  boy  ! — a  fine  principle  !  But  we  are  not 
quite  so  particular,"  said  the  admiral.  "Now,  where's  the 
young  lady  ?  Let  her  know  that  dinner's  on  the  table." 

A  fortnight   after  this   conversation,  Captain   Manly   re- 


CONCLUSION 

turned  with  the  treasure;  and  the  Enterprise,  commanded 
by  another  officer,  returned  from  Porto  Rico,  with  a  letter 
from  the  governor  in  reply  to  one  from  the  admiral,  in  which 
the  rescue  of  his  daughter  by  Edward  had  been  communi- 
cated. The  letter  was  full  of  thanks  to  the  admiral,  and 
compliments  to  Edward  ;  and,  what  was  of  more  importance, 
it  sanctioned  the  union  of  the  young  officer  with  his  daughter, 
with  a  dozen  boxes  of  gold  doubloons. 

About  six  weeks  after  the  above-mentioned  important 
conversation,  Mr.  Witherington,  who  had  been  reading  a 
voluminous  packet  of  letters  in  his  breakfast-room  in  Fins- 
bury  Square,  pulled  his  bell  so  violently  that  old  Jonathan 
thought  his  master  must  be  out  of  his  senses.  This,  however, 
did  not  induce  him  to  accelerate  his  solemn  and  measured 
pace  ;  and  he  made  his  appearance  at  the  door,  as  usual, 
without  speaking. 

"Why  don't  that  fellow  answer  the  bell?"  cried  Mr. 
Witherington. 

"  I  am  here,  sir,"  said  Jonathan  solemnly. 

"  Well,  so  you  are  !  but,  confound  you  !  you  come  like  the 
ghost  of  a  butler !  But  who  do  you  think  is  coming  here, 
Jonathan  ?  " 

"  I  cannot  tell,  sir." 

"But  I  can! — you  solemn  old Edward's  coming  here' 

— coming  home  directly  !  " 

"  Is  he  to  sleep  in  his  old  room,  sir  ? "  replied  the  im- 
perturbable butler. 

"No;  the  best  bedroom!  Why,  Jonathan,  he  is  married 
— he  is'made  a  captain — Captain  Templemore  !  " 

"  Yes — sir." 

"  And  he  has  found  his  brother,  Jonathan ;  his  twin- 
brother  ! " 

"  Yes — sir." 

"  His   brother   Francis — that   was    supposed   to   be   lost ! 
But  it's  a  long  story,  Jonathan  ! — and  a  very  wonderful  one  ! 
— his  poor  mother  has  long  been  dead  ! " 
165 


THE  PIRATE 

"In  ccelo  quies  !"  said  Jonathan,  casting  up  his  eyes. 

"But  his  brother  has  turned  up  again." 

"  Resurgam  !  "  said  the  butler. 

"They  will  be  here  in  ten  days— so  let  everything  be  in 
readiness,  Jonathan.  God  bless  my  soul ! "  continued  the 
old  gentleman,  "  1  hardly  know  what  I'm  about.  It's  a 
Spanish  girl,  Jonathan  !  " 

"  What  is,  sir  ?  " 

"  What  is,  sir  ! — why,  Captain  Templemore's  wife  ;  and  he 
was  tried  as  a  pirate  !  " 

"Who,  sir?" 

"  Who,  sir  ?  why,  Francis,  his  brother  !  Jonathan,  you're 
a  stupid  old  fellow  !  " 

"  Have  you  any  further  commands,  sir  ?  " 

"No — no  ! — there — that'll  do — go  away." 

And  in  three  weeks  after  this  conversation,  Captain  and 
Mrs.  Templemore,  and  his  brother  Frank,  were  established 
in  the  house,  to  the  great  delight  of  Mr.  Witherington ;  for 
he  had  long  been  tired  of  solitude  and  old  Jonathan. 

The  twin-brothers  were  a  comfort  to  him  in  his  old  age  : 
they  closed  his  eyes  in  peace— they  divided  his  blessing 
and  his  large  fortune — and  thus  ends  our  history  of  THE 
PIRATE  ! 


166 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 


CHAPTER  I 

CUTTER     THE     FIRST 

IxEADER,  have  you  ever  been  at  Plymouth  ?  If  you  have, 
your  eye  must  have  dwelt  with  ecstasy  upon  the  beautiful 
property  of  the  Earl  of  Mount  Edgcumbe :  if  you  have  not 
been  at  Plymouth,  the  sooner  that  you  go  there  the  better. 
At  Mount  Edgcumbe  you  will  behold  the  finest  timber  in 
existence,  towering  up  to  the  summits  of  the  hills,  and  feather- 
ing down  to  the  shingle  on  the  beach.  And  from  this  lovely 
spot  you  will  witness  one  of  the  most  splendid  panoramas  in 
the  world.  You  will  see — I  hardly  know  what  you  will  not 
see — you  will  see  Ram  Head,  and  Cawsand  Bay ;  and  then 
you  will  see  the  Breakwater,  and  Drake's  Island,  and  the 
Devil's  Bridge  below  you;  and  the  town  of  Plymouth  and 
its  fortifications,  and  the  Hoe  ;  and  then  you  will  come  to  the 
Devil's  Point,  round  which  the  tide  runs  devilish  strong ; 
and  then  you  will  see  the  New  Victualling  Office, — about 
which  Sir  James  Gordon  used  to  stump  all  day,  and  take  a 
pinch  of  snuff  from  every  man  who  carried  a  box,  which  all 
were  delighted  to  give,  and  he  was  delighted  to  receive, 
proving  how  much  pleasure  may  be  communicated  merely  by 
a  pinch  of  snuff;  and  then  you  will  see  Mount  Wise  and 
Mutton  Cove  ;  the  town  of  Devonport,  with  its  magnificent 
dockyard  and  arsenals,  North  Corner,  and  the  way  which  leads 
to  Saltash.  And  you  will  see  ships  building  and  ships  in 
169 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

ordinary ;  and  ships  repairing  and  ships  fitting ;  and  hulks 
and  convict  ships,  and  the  guardship ;  ships  ready  to  sail  and 
ships  under  sail ;  besides  lighters,  men-of-war's  boats,  dock- 
yard-boats, bumboats,  and  shore-boats.  In  short,  there  is  a 
great  deal  to  see  at  Plymouth  besides  the  sea  itself:  but  what 
I  particularly  wish  now  is,  that  you  will  stand  at  the  Battery 
of  Mount  Edgcumbe  and  look  into  Bam  Pool  below  you,  and 
there  you  will  see,  lying  at  single  anchor,  a  cutter ;  and  you 
may  also  see,  by  her  pendant  and  ensign,  that  she  is  a  yacht 

Of  all  the  amusements  entered  into  by  the  nobility  and 
gentry  of  our  island  there  is  not  one  so  manly,  so  exciting,  so 
patriotic,  or  so  national  as  yacht-sailing.  It  is  peculiar  to 
England,  not  only  from  our  insular  position  and  our  fine 
harbours,  but  because  it  requires  a  certain  degree  of  energy 
and  a  certain  amount  of  income  rarely  to  be  found  elsewhere. 
It  has  been  wisely  fostered  by  our  sovereigns,  who  have  felt 
that  the  security  of  the  kingdom  is  increased  by  every  man 
being  more  or  less  a  sailor,  or  connected  with  the  nautical 
profession.  It  is  an  amusement  of  the  greatest  importance  to 
the  country,  as  it  has  much  improved  our  ship-building  and 
our  ship-fitting,  while  it  affords  employment  to  our  seamen 
and  shipwrights.  But  if  I  were  to  say  all  that  I  could  say  in 
praise  of  yachts,  I  should  never  advance  with  my  narrative. 
I  shall  therefore  drink  a  bumper  to  the  health  of  Admiral 
Lord  Yarborough  and  the  Yacht  Club,  and  proceed. 

You  observe  that  this  yacht  is  cutter-rigged,  and  that  she 
sits  gracefully  on  the  smooth  water.  She  is  just  heaving  up 
her  anchor ;  her  foresail  is  loose,  all  ready  to  cast  her — in  a 
few  minutes  she  will  be  under  way.  You  see  that  there  are 
ladies  sitting  at  the  taffrail ;  and  there  are  five  haunches  of 
venison  hanging  over  the  stern.  Of  all  amusements,  give  me 
yachting.  But  we  must  go  on  board.  The  deck,  you  observe, 
is  of  narrow  deal  planks  as  white  as  snow ;  the  guns  are 
of  polished  brass  ;  the  bitts  and  binnacles  of  mahogany  ;  she  is 
painted  with  taste  ;  and  all  the  mouldings  are  gilded.  There 
is  nothing  wanting  ;  and  yet  how  clear  and  unencumbered  are 
170 


CUTTER  THE  FIRST 

her  decks  !  Let  us  go  below.  This  is  the  ladies'  cabin  :  can 
anything  be  more  tasteful  or  elegant?  is  it  not  luxurious? 
and,  although  so  small,  does  not  its  very  confined  space 
astonish  you,  when  you  view  so  many  comforts  so  beautifully 
arranged  ?  This  is  the  dining-room,  and  where  the  gentle- 
men repair.  What  can  be  more  complete  or  recherchf  ?  And 
just  peep  into  their  state-rooms  and  bed-places.  Here  is  the 
steward's  room  and  the  beaufet :  the  steward  is  squeezing 
lemons  for  the  punch,  and  there  is  the  champagne  in  ice  ;  and 
by  the  side  of  the  pail  the  long  corks  are  ranged  up,  all  ready. 
Now,  let  us  go  forwards :  here  are  the  men's  berths,  not  con- 
fined as  in  a  man-of-war.  No ;  luxury  starts  from  abaft,  and  is 
not  wholly  lost  even  at  the  fore-peak.  This  is  the  kitchen  :  is 
it  not  admirably  arranged  ?  What  a  multum  in  parvo  !  And 
how  delightful  are  the  fumes  of  the  turtle-soup  !  At  sea  we 
do  meet  with  rough  weather  at  times ;  but,  for  roughing  it 
out,  give  me  a  yacht.  Now  that  I  have  shown  you  round  the 
vessel,  I  must  introduce  the  parties  on  board. 

You  observe  that  florid,  handsome  man,  in  white  trousers  and 
blue  jacket,  who  has  a  telescope  in  one  hand,  and  is  sipping  a 
glass  of  brandy  and  water  which  he  has  just  taken  off  the  sky- 
light. That  is  the  owner  of  the  vessel,  and  a  member  of  the 

Yacht  Club.  It  is  Lord  B :  he  looks  like  a  sailor,  and  he 

does  not  much  belie  his  looks ;  yet  I  have  seen  him  in  his 
robes  of  state  at  the  opening  of  the  House  of  Lords.  The 
one  near  to  him  is  Mr.  Stewart,  a  lieutenant  in  the  navy.  He 
holds  on  by  the  rigging  with  one  hand,  because,  having  been 
actively  employed  all  his  life,  he  does  not  know  what  to  do 
with  hands  which  have  nothing  in  them.  He  is  a  protege  of 
Lord  B.,  and  is  now  on  board  as  sailing-master  of  the  yacht. 

That  handsome,  well-built  man,  who  is  standing  by  the 
binnacle,  is  a  Mr.  Hautaine,  He  served  six  years  as  mid- 
shipman in  the  navy,  and  did  not  like  it.  He  then  served 
six  years  in  a  cavalry  regiment,  and  did  not  like  it.  He  then 
married,  and  in  a  much  shorter  probation  found  that  he  did 
not  like  that.  But  he  is  very  fond  of  yachts  and  other  men's 
171 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

wives,  if  he  does  not  like  his  own  ;  and  wherever  he  goes,  he 
is  welcome. 

That  young  man  with  an  embroidered  silk  waistcoat  and 
white  gloves,  bending  to  talk  to  one  of  the  ladies,  is  a  Mr. 
Vaughan.  He  is  to  be  seen  at  Almack's,  at  Crockford's,  and 
everywhere  else.  Everybody  knows  him,  and  he  knows  every- 
body. He  is  a  little  in  debt,  and  yachting  is  convenient. 

The  one  who  sits  by  the  lady  is  a  relation  of  Lord  B. ;  you 
see  at  once  what  he  is.  He  apes  the  sailor;  he  has  not 
shaved,  because  sailors  have  no  time  to  shave  every  day ;  he 
has  not  changed  his  linen,  because  sailors  cannot  change 
every  day.  He  has  a  cigar  in  his  mouth,  which  makes  him 
half  sick  and  annoys  his  company.  He  talks  of  the  pleasure 
of  a  rough  sea,  which  will  drive  all  the  ladies  below — and 
then  they  will  not  perceive  that  he  is  more  sick  than  them- 
selves. He  has  the  misfortune  to  be  born  to  a  large  estate, 
and  to  be  a.  fool.  His  name  is  Ossulton. 

The  last  of  the  gentlemen  on  board  whom  I  have  to  intro- 
duce is  Mr.  Seagrove.  He  is  slightly  made,  with  marked 
features  full  of  intelligence.  He  has  been  brought  up  to  the 
bar ;  and  has  every  qualification  but  application.  He  has  never 
had  a  brief,  nor  has  he  a  chance  of  one.  He  is  the  fiddler  of 
the  company,  and  he  has  locked  up  his  chambers  and  come,  by 
invitation  of  his  lordship,  to  play  on  board  of  his  yacht. 

I  have  yet  to  describe  the  ladies — perhaps  I  should  have 
commenced  with  them — I  must  excuse  myself  upon  the 
principle  of  reserving  the  best  to  the  last.  All  puppet- 
showmen  do  so ;  and  what  is  this  but  the  first  scene  in  my 
puppet-show  ? 

We  will  describe  them  according  to  seniority.  That  tall, 
thin,  cross-looking  lady  of  forty-five  is  a  spinster,  and  sister 
to  Lord  B.  She  had  been  persuaded,  very  much  against 
her  will,  to  come  on  board ;  but  her  notions  of  propriety 
would  not  permit  her  niece  to  embark  under  the  protection 
of  otdy  her  father.  She  is  frightened  at  everything :  if  a  rope 
is  thrown  down  on  the  deck,  up  she  starts,  and  cries,  "  Oh  !  " 
172 


CUTTER  THE  FIRST 

if  on  the  deck,  she  thinks  the  water  is  rushing  in  below ;  if 
down  below,  and  there  is  a  noise,  she  is  convinced  there  is 
danger ;  and  if  it  be  perfectly  still,  she  is  sure  there  is  some- 
thing wrong.  She  fidgets  herself  and  everybody,  and  is  quite 
a  nuisance  with  her  pride  and  ill-humour ;  but  she  has  strict 
notions  of  propriety,  and  sacrifices  herself  as  a  martyr.  She 
is  the  Hon.  Miss  Ossulton. 

The  lady  who,  when  she  smiles,  shows  so  many  dimples  in 
her  pretty  oval  face,  is  a  young  widow  of  the  name  of  Lascelles. 
She  married  an  old  man  to  please  her  father  and  mother,  which 
was  very  dutiful  on  her  part.  She  was  rewarded  by  finding 
herself  a  widow  with  a  large  fortune.  Having  married  the 
first  time  to  please  her  parents,  she  intends  now  to  marry  to 
please  herself;  but  she  is  very  young,  and  is  in  no  hurry. 

That  young  lady  with  such  a  sweet  expression  of  counte- 
nance is  the  Hon.  Miss  Cecilia  Ossulton.  She  is  lively,  witty, 
and  has  no  fear  in  her  composition  ;  but  she  is  very  young 
yet,  not  more  than  seventeen — and  nobody  knows  what  she 
really  is — she  does  not  know  herself.  These  are  the  parties 
who  meet  in  the  cabin  of  the  yacht.  The  crew  consists  of  ten 
fine  seamen,  the  steward  and  the  cook.  There  is  also  Lord 
B.'s  valet,  Mr.  Ossulton's  gentleman,  and  the  lady's-maid  of 
Miss  Ossulton.  There  not  being  accommodation  for  them, 
the  other  servants  have  been  left  on  shore. 

The  yacht  is  now  under  way,  and  her  sails  are  all  set.  She 
is  running  between  Drake's  Island  and  the  main.  Dinner 
has  been  announced.  As  the  reader  has  learnt  something 
about  the  preparations,  I  leave  him  to  judge  whether  it  be 
not  very  pleasant  to  sit  down  to  dinner  in  a  yacht.  The  air 
has  given  everybody  an  appetite ;  and  it  was  not  until  the 
cloth  was  removed  that  the  conversation  became  general. 

"  Mr.  Seagrove,"  said  his  lordship,  "  you  very  nearly  lost 
your  passage  ;  I  expected  you  last  Thursday." 

"  I  am  sorry,  my  lord,  that  business  prevented  my  sooner 
attending  to  your  lordship's  kind  summons." 

"Come,  Seagrove,  don't  be  nonsensical,"  said  Hautaine; 
173 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

"you  told  me  yourself,  the  other  evening,  when  you  were 
talkative,  that  you  had  never  had  a  brief  in  your  life." 

"  And  a  very  fortunate  circumstance/'  replied  Seagrove  ; 
"  for  if  I  had  had  a  brief  I  should  not  have  known  what  to  have 
done  with  it.  It  is  not  my  fault ;  I  am  fit  for  nothing  but 
a  commissioner.  But  still  I  had  business,  and  very  important 
business,  too.  I  was  summoned  by  Ponsonby  to  go  with  him 
to  Tattersall's,  to  give  my  opinion  about  a  horse  he  wishes 
to  purchase,  and  then  to  attend  him  to  Forest  Wild  to  plead 
his  cause  with  his  uncle." 

"  It  appears,  then,  that  you  were  retained,"  replied  Lord 
B. ;  "  may  I  ask  you  whether  your  friend  gained  his  cause  ?" 

"No,  my  lord,  he  lost  his  cause,  but  he  gained  a  suit." 

"Expound  your  riddle,  sir,"  said  Cecilia  Ossulton. 

"The  fact  is,  that  old  Ponsonby  is  very  anxious  that 
William  should  marry  Miss  Percival,  whose  estates  join  on  to 
Forest  Wild.  Now,  my  friend  William  is  about  as  fond  of 
marriage  as  I  am  of  law,  and  thereby  issue  was  joined." 

"  But  why  were  you  to  be  called  in  ? "  inquired  Mrs. 
Lascelles. 

"  Because,  madam,  as  Ponsonby  never  buys  a  horse  without 
consulting  me " 

"  I  cannot  see  the  analogy,  sir,"  observed  Miss  Ossulton, 
senior,  bridling  up. 

"  Pardon  me,  madam  :  the  fact  is,"  continued  Seagrove, 
"  that,  as  I  always  have  to  back  Ponsonby' s  horses,  he 
thought  it  right  that,  in  this  instance,  I  should  back  him : 
he  required  special  pleading,  but  his  uncle  tried  him  for  the 
capital  offence,  and  he  was  not  allowed  counsel.  As  soon  as  we 
arrived,  and  I  had  bowed  myself  into  the  room,  Mr.  Ponsonby 
bowed  me  out  again — which  would  have  been  infinitely  more 
jarring  to  my  feelings,  had  not  the  door  been  left  a-jar." 

"  Do  anything  but  pun,  Seagrove,"  interrupted  Hautaine. 

"Well  then,  I  will  take  a  glass  of  wine." 

"Do  so,"  said  his  lordship;  "but  recollect  the  whole  com- 
pany are  impatient  for  your  story." 
174. 


CUTTER  THE   FIRST 

"  I  can  assure  you,  my  lord,  that  it  was  equal  to  any  scene 
in  a  comedy." 

Now  be  it  observed  that  Mr.  Seagrove  had  a  great  deal  of 
comic  talent ;  he  was  an  excellent  mimic,  and  could  alter  his 
voice  almost  as  he  pleased.  It  was  a  custom  of  his  to  act  a 
scene  as  between  other  people,  and  he  performed  it  remark- 
ably well.  Whenever  he  said  that  anything  he  was  going  to 
narrate  was  "  as  good  as  a  comedy,"  it  was  generally  under- 
stood by  those  who  were  acquainted  with  him  that  he  was  to 
be  asked  so  to  do.  Cecilia  Ossulton  therefore  immediately 
said,  "  Pray  act  it,  Mr.  Seagrove." 

Upon  which,  Mr.  Seagrove — premising  that  he  had  not 
only  heard  but  also  seen  all  that  passed — changing  his  voice, 
and  suiting  the  action  to  the  word,  commenced. 

"  It  may,"  said  he,  "  be  called 

'  FIVE  THOUSAND  ACRES  IN  A  RING-FENCE.'  " 

We  shall  not  describe  Mr.  Seagrove's  motions  ;  they  must 
be  inferred  from  his  words. 

"'It  will  then,  William/  observed  Mr.  Ponsonby,  stop- 
ping, and  turning  to  his  nephew,  after  a  rapid  walk  up  and 
down  the  room  with  his  hands  behind  him  under  his  coat,  so 
as  to  allow  the  tails  to  drop  their  perpendicular  about  three 
inches  clear  of  his  body, '  I  may  say,  without  contradiction,  be 
the  finest  property  in  the  county — five  thousand  acres  in  a 
ring-fence.' 

" '  I  dare  say  it  will,  uncle,'  replied  William,  tapping  his 
foot,  as  he  lounged  in  a  green  morocco  easy-chair ;  '  and  so, 
because  you  have  set  your  fancy  upon  having  these  two 
estates  enclosed  together  in  a  ring-fence,  you  wish  that  I 
should  be  also  enclosed  in  a  ring-fence.' 

" '  And  a  beautiful  property  it  will  be/  replied  Mr.  Ponsonby. 

" '  Wrhich,  uncle  ?  the  estate  or  the  wife  ?  ' 

"  '  Both,  nephew,  both ;  and  I  expect  your  consent' 

"'Uncle,  I  am  not  avaricious.  Your  present  property  is 
sufficient  for  me.  W7ith  your  permission,  instead  of  doubling 
175 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

the  property,  and  doubling  myself,  I  will  remain  your  sole 
heir  and  single.' 

" '  Observe,  William,  such  an  opportunity  may  not  occur 
again  for  centuries.  We  shall  restore  Forest  Wild  to  its 
ancient  boundaries.  You  know  it  has  been  divided  nearly 
two  hundred  years.  We  now  have  a  glorious,  golden  oppor- 
tunity of  re-uniting  the  two  properties;  and  when  joined, 
the  estate  will  be  exactly  what  it  was  when  granted  to  our 
ancestors  by  Henry  VIII.,  at  the  period  of  the  Reformation. 
This  house  must  be  pulled  down,  and  the  monastery  left 
standing.  Then  we  shall  have  our  own  again,  and  the 
property  without  encumbrance.' 

" '  Without  encumbrance,  uncle  !  You  forget  that  there 
will  be  a  wife.' 

"  '"And  you  forget  that  there  will  be  five  thousand  acres  in 
a  ring-fence.' 

" '  Indeed,  uncle,  you  ring  it  too  often  in  my  ears  that  I 
should  forget  it.  But,  much  as  I  should  like  to  be  the  happy 
possessor  of  such  a  property,  I  do  not  feel  inclined  to  be  the 
happy  possessor  of  Miss  Percival ;  and  the  more  so,  as  I  have 
never  seen  the  property.' 

"  <  We  will  ride  over  it  to-morrow,  William.' 

" '  Ride  over  Miss  Percival,  uncle  !  That  will  not  be  very 
gallant.  I  will,  however,  one  of  these  days  ride  over  the 
property  with  you,  which,  as  well  as  Miss  Percival,  I  have 
not  as  yet  seen.' 

"  'Then  I  can  tell  you  she  is  a  very  pretty  property.' 

" '  If  she  were  not  in  a  ring-fence.' 

" '  In  good  heart,  William.  That  is,  I  mean  an  excellent 
disposition.' 

"  '  Valuable  in  matrimony.' 

"'And  well  tilled — I  should  say  well  educated — by  her 
three  maiden  aunts,  who  are  the  patterns  of  propriety.' 

" '  Does  any  one  follow  the  fashion  ?  ' 

" '  In  a  high  state  of  cultivation ;  that  is,  her  mind  highly 
cultivated,  and  according  to  the  last  new  system — what  is  it  ?  ' 
176 


CUTTER  THE  FIRST 

" '  A  four-course  shift,  I  presume/  replied  William,  laugh- 
ing;  'that  is,  dancing,  singing,  music,  and  drawing.' 

" '  And  only  seventeen  !  Capital  soil,  promising  good  crops. 
What  would  you  have  more  ? ' 

" '  A  very  pretty  estate,  uncle,  if  it  were  not  the  estate  of 
matrimony.  I  am  sorry,  very  sorry,  to  disappoint  you  ;  but  I 
must  decline  taking  a  lease  of  it  for  life.' 

" '  Then,  sir,  allow  me  to  hint  to  you  that  in  my  testament 
you  are  only  a  tenant-at-will.  I  consider  it  a  duty  that  I 
owe  to  the  family  that  the  estate  should  be  re-united.  That 
can  only  be  done  by  one  of  our  family  marrying  Miss  Percival; 
and  as  you  will  not,  I  shall  now  write  to  your  cousin  James, 
and  if  he  accept  my  proposal,  shall  make  him  my  heir.  Pro- 
bably he  will  more  fully  appreciate  the  advantages  of  five 
thousand  acres  in  a  ring-fence.' 

"  And  Mr.  Ponsonby  directed  his  steps  towards  the  door. 

"'  Stop,  my  dear  uncle/  cried  William,  rising  up  from  his  easy 
chair;  ( we  do  not  quite  understand  one  another.  It  is  very  true 
that  I  would  prefer  half  the  property  and  remaining  single,  to 
the  two  estates  and  the  estate  of  marriage ;  but  at  the  same 
time  I  did  not  tell  you  that  I  would  prefer  beggary  to  a  wife 
and  five  thousand  acres  in  a  ring-fence.  I  know  you  to  be  a 
man  of  your  word.  I  accept  your  proposal,  and  you  need  not 
put  my  cousin  James  to  the  expense  of  postage.' 

"  'Very  good,  William  ;  I  require  no  more  :  and  as  I  know 
you  to  be  a  man  of  your  word,  I  shall  consider  this  match  as 
settled.  It  was  on  this  account  only  that  I  sent  for  you,  and 
now  you  may  go  back  again  as  soon  as  you  please.  I  will  let 
you  know  when  all  is  ready.' 

" '  I  must  be  at  Tattersall's  on  Monday,  uncle ;  there  is  a 
horse  I  must  have  for  next  season.  Pray,  uncle,  may  I  ask 
when  you  are  likely  to  want  me  ? ' 

" '  Let  me  see — this  is  May — about  July,  I  should  think.' 

"  '  July,  uncle  !  Spare  me — I  cannot  marry  in  the  dog- 
days.  No,  hang  it !  not  July  ' 

" '  Well,  William,  perhaps,  as  you  must  come  down  once  or 
177  M 


THE  THREE  CUTTERb 

twice  to  see  the  property — Miss  Percival,  I  should  say — it 
may  be  too  soon — suppose  we  put  it  off  till  October  ? ' 

"  <  October— I  shall  be  down  at  Melton.' 

" '  Pray,  sir,  may  I  then  inquire  what  portion  of  the  year  is 
not,  with  you,  dog-days  ?  ' 

« <  Why,  uncle,  next  April,  now — I  think  that  would  do.' 

" '  Next  April !  Eleven  months,  and  a  winter  between. 
Suppose  Miss  Percival  was  to  take  a  cold  and  die.' 

" '  I  should  be  excessively  obliged  to  her,'  thought  William. 

" '  No,  no  ! '  continued  Mr.  Ponsonby :  '  there  is  nothing 
certain  in  this  world,  William.' 

"'Well  then,  uncle,  suppose  we  arrange  it  for  the  first 
hard  frost.' 

" '  We  have  had  no  hard  frosts  lately,  William.  We  may 
wait  for  years.  The  sooner  it  is  over  the  better.  Go  back  to 
town,  buy  your  horse,  and  then  come  down  here,  my  dear 
William,  to  oblige  your  uncle — never  mind  the  dog-days.' 

" '  Well,  sir,  if  I  am  to  make  a  sacrifice,  it  shall  not  be  done 
by  halves ;  out  of  respect  for  you  I  will  even  marry  in  July, 
without  any  regard  to  the  thermometer.' 

" '  You  are  a  good  boy,  William.     Do  you  want  a  cheque  ? ' 

" '  I  have  had  one  to-day/  thought  William,  and  was  almost 
at  fault.  '  I  shall  be  most  thankful,  sir — they  sell  horseflesh 
by  the  ounce  nowadays.' 

"'And  you  pay  in  pounds.     There,  William.' 

"'Thank  you.  sir,  I'm  all  obedience;  and  I'll  keep  my 
word,  even  if  there  should  be  a  comet.  I'll  go  and  buy  the 
horse,  and  then  I  shall  be  ready  to  take  the  ring-fence  as 
soon  as  you  please.' 

"'Yes,  and  you'll  get  over  it  cleverly,  I've  no  doubt.  Five 
thousand  acres,  William,  and — a  pretty  wife  ! ' 

" '  Have  you  any  further  commands,  uncle  ? '  said  William, 
depositing  the  cheque  in  his  pocket-book. 

" '  None,  my  dear  boy  ;  are  you  going  ? ' 

" '  Yes,  sir ;  I  dine  at  the  Clarendon.' 

"'Well,  then,  good-bye.  Make  my  compliments  and 
178 


CUTTER  THE   FIRST 

excuses  to  your  friend  Seagrove.     You  will  come  on  Tuesday 
or  Wednesday.' 

"Thus  was  concluded  the  marriage  between  William 
Ponsonby  and  Emily  Percival,  and  the  junction  of  the  two 
estates,  which  formed  together  the  great  desideratum— -Jive 
thousand  acres  in  a  ring-fence." 

Mr.  Seagrove  finished,  and  he  looked  round  for  approbation. 

"Very  good  indeed,  Seagrove,"  said  his  lordship;  "you 
must  take  a  glass  of  wine  after  that." 

"  I  would  not  give  much  for  Miss  Percival' s  chance  of 
happiness,"  observed  the  elder  Miss  Ossulton. 

"  Of  two  evils  choose  the  least,  they  say,"  observed  Mr. 
Hautaine.  "Poor  Ponsonby  could  not  help  himself." 

"  That's  a  very  polite  observation  of  yours.  Mr.  Hautaine — 
I  thank  you  in  the  name  of  the  sex,"  replied  Cecilia  Ossulton. 

"  Nay,  Miss  Ossulton  ;  would  you  like  to  marry  a  person 
whom  you  never  saw  ?  " 

"  Most  certainly  not ;  but  when  you  mentioned  the  two 
evils,  Mr.  Hautaine,  I  appeal  to  your  honour,  did  you  not 
refer  to  marriage  or  beggary  ?  " 

"  I  must  confess  it,  Miss  Ossulton ;  but  it  is  hardly  fair  to 
call  on  my  honour  to  get  me  into  a  scrape." 

"  I  only  wish  that  the  offer  had  been  made  to  me,"  observed 
Vaughan ;  "  I  should  not  have  hesitated  as  Ponsonby  did." 

"  Then  I  beg  you  will  not  think  of  proposing  for  me,"  said 
Mrs.  Lascelles,  laughing ;  for  Mr.  Vaughan  had  been  exces- 
sively attentive. 

"It  appears  to  me,  Vaughan,"  observed  Seagrove,  "that 
you  have  slightly  committed  yourself  by  that  remark." 

Vaughan,  who  thought  so  too,  replied,  "  Mrs.  Lascelles 
must  be  aware  that  I  was  only  joking." 

"  Fie  1  Mr.  Vaughan,"  cried  Cecilia  Ossulton  ;  "  you  know 
it  came  from  your  heart." 

"My  dear  Cecilia,"  said  the  elder  Miss  Ossulton,  "you 
forget  yourself — what  can  you  possibly  know  about  gentle- 
men's hearts  ?  " 

179 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

"The  Bible  says  that  they  are  *  deceitful  and  desperately 
wicked/  aunt." 

"And  cannot  we  also  quote  the  Bible  against  your  sex, 
Miss  Ossulton?"  replied  Seagrove. 

"  Yes,  you  could,  perhaps,  if  any  of  you  had  ever  read  it," 
replied  Miss  Ossulton  carelessly 

"  Upon  my  word,  Cissy,  you  are  throwing  the  gauntlet 
down  to  the  gentlemen,"  observed  Lord  B. ;  "but  I  shall 
throw  my  warder  down,  and  not  permit  this  combat  h 
I' entrance.  I  perceive  you  drink  no  more  wine,  gentlemen; 
we  will  take  our  coffee  on  deck." 

"We  were  just  about  to  retire,  my  lord,"  observed  the 
elder  Miss  Ossulton,  with  great  asperity  ;  "  I  have  been  trying 

to  catch  the  eye  of  Mrs.  Lascelles  for  some  time,  but " 

"  I  was  looking  another  way,  I  presume,"  interrupted  Mrs. 
Lascelles,  smiling. 

"I  am  afraid  that  I  am  the  unfortunate  culprit,"  said 
Mr,  Seagrove.  "  I  was  telling  a  little  anecdote  to  Mrs. 

Lascelles " 

"  Which,  of  course,  from  its  being  communicated  in  an  under- 
tone, was  not  proper  for  all  the  company  to  hear,"  replied  the 

elder  Miss  Ossulton  ;  "  but  if  Mrs.  Lascelles  is  now  ready " 

continued  she,  bridling  up,  as  she  rose  from  her  chair. 

"  At  all  events,  I  can  hear  the  remainder  of  it  on  deck," 
replied  Mrs.  Lascelles.  The  ladies  rose  and  went  into  the 
cabin,  Cecilia  and  Mrs.  Lascelles  exchanging  very  significant 
smiles  as  they  followed  the  precise  spinster,  who  did  not 
choose  that  Mrs.  Lascelles  should  take  the  lead  merely 
because  she  had  once  happened  to  have  been  married.  The 
gentlemen  also  broke  up,  and  went  on  deck. 

"We  have  a  nice  breeze  now,  my  lord,"  observed  Mr. 
Stewart,  who  had  remained  on  deck,  "  and  we  lie  right  up 
Channel." 

"  So  much  the  better,"  replied  his  lordship ;  "  we  ought 
to  have  been  anchored  at  Cowes  a  week  ago.  They  will  all 
be  there  before  us." 

180 


CUTTER  THE  SECOND 

"  Tell  Mr.  Simpson  to  bring  me  a  light  for  my  cigar,"  said 
Mr.  Ossulton  to  one  of  the  men. 

Mr.  Stewart  went  down  to  his  dinner ;  the  ladies  and  the 
coffee  came  on  deck  ;  the  breeze  was  fine,  the  weather  (it  was 
April)  almost  warm ;  and  the  yacht,  whose  name  was  the  Arrow, 
assisted  by  the  tide,  soon  left  the  Mewstone  far  astern. 


CHAPTER  II 

CUTTER     THE     SECOND 

HEADER,  have  you  ever  been  at  Portsmouth?  If  you 
have,  you  must  have  been  delighted  with  the  view  from  the 
saluting  battery  ;  and  if  you  have  not,  you  had  better  go  there 
as  soon  as  you  can.  From  the  saluting  battery  you  may  look 
up  the  harbour,  and  see  much  of  what  I  have  described  at 
Plymouth ;  the  scenery  is  different,  but  similar  arsenals  and 
dockyards,  and  an  equal  portion  of  our  stupendous  navy  are 
to  be  found  there  ;  and  you  will  see  Gosport  on  the  other 
side  of  the  harbour^  and  Sallyport  close  to  you ;  besides  a 
great  many  other  places,  which,  from  the  saluting  battery, 
you  cannot  see.  And  then  there  is  Southsea  Beach  to  your 
left.  Before  you,  Spithead,  with  the  men-of-war,  and  the 
Motherbank  crowded  with  merchant  vessels ;  and  there  is 
the  buoy  where  the  Royal  George  was  wrecked  and  where 
she  still  lies,  the  fish  swimming  in  and  out  of  her  cabin 
windows ;  but  that  is  not  all ;  you  can  also  see  the  Isle  of 
Wight — Ryde  with  its  long  wooden  pier,  and  Cowes,  where 
the  yachts  lie.  In  fact,  there  is  a  great  deal  to  be  seen  at 
Portsmouth  as  well  as  at  Plymouth ;  but  what  I  wish  you 
particularly  to  see  just  now  is  a  vessel  holding  fast  to  the 
buoy  just  off  the  saluting  battery.  She  is  a  cutter  ;  and  you 
may  know  that  she  belongs  to  the  Preventive  Service  by  the 
number  of  gigs  and  galleys  which  she  has  hoisted  up  all  round 
her.  She  looks  like  a  vessel  that  was  about  to  sail  with  a  cargo 
181 


THE  THREE   CUTTERS 

of  boats ;  two  on  deck,  one  astern,  one  on  each  side  of  her. 
You  observe  that  she  is  painted  black,  and  all  her  boats  are 
white.  She  is  not  such  an  elegant  vessel  as  the  yacht,  and 
she  is  much  more  lumbered  up.  She  has  no  haunches  of 
venison  hanging  over  the  stern,  but  I  think  there  is  a  leg 
of  mutton  and  some  cabbages  hanging  by  their  stalks.  But 
revenue  cutters  are  not  yachts.  You  will  find  no  turtle  or 
champagne  ;  but,  nevertheless,  you  will,  perhaps,  find  a  joint 
to  carve  at,  a  good  glass  of  grog,  and  a  hearty  welcome. 

Let  us  go  on  board.  You  observe  the  guns  are  iron,  and 
painted  black,  and  her  bulwarks  are  painted  red  ;  it  is  not  a 
very  becoming  colour,  but  then  it  lasts  a  long  while,  and  the 
dockyard  is  not  very  generous  on  the  score  of  paint — or 
lieutenants  of  the  navy  troubled  with  much  spare  cash.  She 
has  plenty  of  men,  and  fine  men  they  are ;  all  dressed  in  red 
flannel  shirts  and  blue  trousers  ;  some  of  them  have  not  taken 
off  their  canvas  or  tarpaulin  petticoats,  which  are  very  useful 
to  them,  as  they  are  in  the  boats  night  and  day,  and  in  all 
weathers.  But  we  will  at  once  go  down  into  the  cabin,  where 
we  shall  find  the  lieutenant  who  commands  her,  a  master's 
mate,  and  a  midshipman.  They  have  each  their  tumbler 
before  them,  and  are  drinking  gin-toddy,  hot,  with  sugar- 
capital  gin,  too,  'bove  proof;  it  is  from  that  small  anker 
standing  under  the  table.  It  was  one  that  they  forgot  to 
return  to  the  custom-house  when  they  made  their  last  seizure. 
We  must  introduce  them. 

The  elderly  personage,  with  grizzly  hair  and  whiskers,  a 
round  pale  face,  and  a  somewhat  red  nose  (being  too  much  in 
the  wind  will  make  the  nose  red,  and  this  old  officer  is  very 
often  "  in  the  wind,"  of  course,  from  the  very  nature  of  his 
profession),  is  a  Lieutenant  Appleboy.  He  has  served  in 
every  class  of  vessel  in  the  service,  and  done  the  duty  of  first 
lieutenant  for  twenty  years ;  he  is  now  on  promotion — that  is 
to  say,  after  he  has  taken  a  certain  number  of  tubs  of  gin,  he 
will  be  rewarded  with  his  rank  as  commander.  It  is  a  pity 
that  what  he  takes  inside  of  him  does  not  count,  for  he  takes 
182 


CUTTER  THE  SECOND 

it  morning,  noon,  and  night.  He  is  just  filling  his  fourteenth 
glass  :  he  always  keeps  a  regular  account,  as  he  never  exceeds 
his  limited  number,  which  is  seventeen ;  then  he  is  exactly 
down  to  his  bearings. 

The  master's  mate's  name  is  Tomkins ;  he  has  served  his 
six  years  three  times  over,  and  has  now  outgrown  his  ambition ; 
which  is  fortunate  for  him,  as  his  chances  of  promotion  are 
small.  He  prefers  a  small  vessel  to  a  large  one,  because  he 
is  not  obliged  to  be  so  particular  in  his  dress — and  looks  for 
his  lieutenancy  whenever  there  shall  be  another  charity  pro- 
motion. He  is  fond  of  soft  bread,  for  his  teeth  are  all  absent 
without  leave ;  he  prefers  porter  to  any  other  liquor,  but  he 
can  drink  his  glass  of  grog,  whether  it  be  based  upon  rum, 
brandy,  or  the  liquor  now  before  him. 

Mr.  Smith  is  the  name  of  that  young  gentleman  whose 
jacket  is  so  out  at  the  elbows ;  he  has  been  intending  to 
mend  it  these  last  two  months,  but  is  too  lazy  to  go  to  his 
chest  for  another.  He  has  been  turned  out  of  half  the  ships 
in  the  service  for  laziness ;  but  he  was  born  so — and  there- 
fore it  is  not  his  fault.  A  revenue-cutter  suits  him,  she  is 
half  her  time  hove-to ;  and  he  has  no  objection  to  boat- 
service,  as  he  sits  down  always  in  the  stern-sheets,  which  is 
not  fatiguing.  Creeping  for  tubs  is  his  delight,  as  he  gets 
over  so  little  ground.  He  is  fond  of  grog,  but  there  is  some 
trouble  in  carrying  the  tumbler  so  often  to  his  mouth  ;  so 
he  looks  at  it,  and  lets  it  stand.  He  says  little  because  he 
is  too  lazy  to  speak.  He  has  served  more  than  eight  years ; 
but  as  for  passing — it  has  never  come  into  his  head.  Such 
are  the  three  persons  who  are  now  sitting  in  the  cabin  of  the 
revenue-cutter,  drinking  hot  gin-toddy. 

"  Let  me  see,  it  was,  I  think,  in  ninety-three  or  ninety- 
four.  Before  you  were  in  the  service,  Tomkins " 

"  Maybe,  sir ;  it's  so  long  ago  since  I  entered,  that  I  can't 
recollect  dates — but  this  I  know,  that  my  aunt  died  three 
days  before." 

"Then  the  question  is,  When  did  your  aunt  die?" 
183 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

"  Oh  !  she  died  about  a  year  after  my  uncle." 

"  And  when  did  your  uncle  die  ?  " 

"  I'll  be  hanged  if  I  know  ! " 

"  Then,  d'ye  see,,  you've  no  departure  to  work  from.  How- 
ever, I  think  you  cannot  have  been  in  the  service  at  that  time. 
We  were  not  quite  so  particular  about  uniform  as  we  are  now." 

"  Then  I  think  the  service  was  all  the  better  for  it.  Now- 
adays, in  your  crack  ships,  a  mate  has  to  go  down  in  the  hold  or 
spirit-room,  and  after  whipping  up  fifty  empty  casks,  and  break- 
ing out  twenty  full  ones,  he  is  expected  to  come  on  quarter- 
deck as  clean  as  if  he  was  just  come  out  of  a  band-box." 

<e  Well,  there's  plenty  of  water  alongside,  as  far  as  the  out- 
ward man  goes,  and  iron  dust  is  soon  brushed  off.  However, 
as  you  say,  perhaps  a  little  too  much  is  expected  ;  at  least,  in 
five  of  the  ships  in  which  I  was  first  lieutenant,  the  captain 
was  always  hauling  me  over  the  coals  about  the  midshipmen 
not  dressing  properly,  as  if  I  was  their  dry-nurse.  I  wonder 
what  Captain  Prigg  would  have  said  if  he  had  seen  such  a 
turn-out  as  you,  Mr.  Smith,  on  his  quarter-deck." 

"  I  should  have  had  one  turn-out  more,"  drawled  Smith. 

"With  your  out-at-elbows  jacket,  there,  eh  !"  continued 
Mr.  Appleboy. 

Smith  turned  up  his  elbows,  looked  at  one  and  then  at  the 
other ;  after  so  fatiguing  an  operation,  he  was  silent. 

"  Well,  where  was  I  ?  Oh  !  it  was  about  ninety-three  or 
ninety-four,  as  I  said,  that  it  happened — Tomkins,  fill  your 
glass  and  hand  me  the  sugar — how  do  I  get  on  ?  This  is 
No.  15,"  said  Appleboy,  counting  some  white  lines  on  the 
table  by  him ;  and  taking  up  a  piece  of  chalk,  he  marked 
one  more  line  on  his  tally.  "  I  don't  think  this  is  so  good  a 
tub  as  the  last,  Tomkins,  there's  a  twang  about  it — a  want  of 
juniper;  however,  I  hope  we  shall  have  better  luck  this 
time.  Of  course  you  know  we  sail  to-morrow  ?  " 

"  I  presume  so,  by  the  leg  of  mutton  coming  on  board." 

"  True — true  ;  I'm  regular — as  clockwork.  After  being 
twenty  years  a  first  lieutenant  one  gets  a  little  method.  I 
184 


CUTTER  THE  SECOND 

like  regularity.  Now  the  admiral  has  never  omitted  asking 
me  to  dinner  once,  every  time  I  have  come  into  harbour,  except 
this  time.  I  was  so  certain  of  it,  that  I  never  expected  to 
sail ;  and  I  have  but  two  shirts  clean  in  consequence." 

"  That's  odd,  isn't  it  ? — and  the  more  so,  because  he  has 
had  such  great  people  down  here,  and  has  been  giving  large 
parties  every  day." 

"  And  yet  I  made  three  seizures,  besides  sweeping  up  those 
thirty-seven  tubs." 

"  I  swept  them  up,"  observed  Smith. 

"  That's  all  the  same  thing,  younker.  When  you've  been 
a  little  longer  in  the  service,  you'll  find  out  that  the  com- 
manding officer  has  the  merit  of  all  that  is  done  ;  but  you're 
green  yet.  Let  me  see,  where  was  I  ?  Oh  !  it  was  about 
ninety-three  or  ninety-four,  as  I  said.  At  that  time  I  was  in 

the  Channel  fleet Tomkins,  I'll  trouble  you  for  the  hot 

water ;  this  water's  cold.  Mr.  Smith,  do  me  the  favour  to 
ring  the  bell.  Jem,  some  more  hot  water." 

"  Please,  sir,"  said  Jem,  who  was  barefooted  as  well  as 
bareheaded,  touching  the  lock  of  hair  on  his  forehead,  "  the 
cook  has  capsized  the  kettle— but  he  has  put  more  on." 

"Capsized  the  kettle!  Hah  !— very  well  —  we'll  talk 
about  that  to-morrow.  Mr.  Tomkins,  do  me  the  favour  to 
put  him  in  the  report :  I  may  forget  it.  And  pray,  sir, 
how  long  is  it  since  he  has  put  more  on  ?  " 

f<  Just  this  moment,  sir,  as  I  came  aft." 

"Very  well,  we'll  see  to  that  to-morrow.  You  bring  the 
kettle  aft  as  soon  as  it  is  ready.  I  say,  Mr.  Jem,  is  that 
fellow  sober  ?  " 

"  Yees,  sir,  he  be  sober  as  you  be." 

"  It's  quite  astonishing  what  a  propensity  the  common 
sailors  have  to  liquor.  Forty  odd  years  have  I  been  in  the 
service,  and  I've  never  found  any  difference.  I  only  wish 
I  had  a  guinea  for  every  time  that  I  have  given  a  fellow 
seven-water  grog  during  my  servitude  as  first  lieutenant,  I 
wouldn't  call  the  king  my  cousin.  Well,  if  there's  no  hot 
185 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

water,  we  must  take  lukewarm ;  it  won't  do  to  heave  to. 
By  the  Lord  Harry  '  who  would  have  thought  it  ? — I'm  at 
number  sixteen  I  Let  me  count — yes  ! — surely  I  must  have 
made  a  mistake.  A  fact,  by  Heaven!"  continued  Mr. 
Appleboy,  throwing  the  chalk  down  on  the  table.  "  Only 
one  more  glass  after  this ;  that  is,  if  I  have  counted  right — 
I  may  have  seen  double." 

"Yes,"  drawled  Smith. 

"Well,  never  mind.  Let's  go  on  with  my  story.  It  was 
either  in  the  year  ninety-three  or  ninety-four  that  I  was  in 
the  Channel  fleet ;  we  were  then  abreast  of  Torbay " 

"  Here  be  the  hot  water,  sir,"  cried  Jem,  putting  the 
kettle  down  on  the  deck. 

"  Very  well,  boy.  By-the-bye,  has  the  jar  of  butter  come 
on  board  ?  " 

"Yes,  but  it  broke  all  down  the  middle.  I  tied  him  up 
with  a  rope-yarn." 

"Who  broke  it,  sir?" 

"  Coxswain  says  as  how  he  didn't." 

"  But  who  did,  sir  ?  " 

"  Coxswain  handed  it  up  to  Bill  Jones,  and  he  says  as  how 
he  didn't." 

"  But  who  did,  sir  ?  " 

"Bill  Jones  gave  it  to  me,  and  I'm  sure  as  how  I 
didn't." 

"  Then  who  did,  sir,  I  ask  you  ?  " 

"  I  think  it  be  Bill  Jones,  sir,  'cause  he's  fond  of  butter,  I 
know,  and  there  be  very  little  left  in  the  jar." 

"  Very  well,  we'll  see  to  that  to-morrow  morning.  Mr. 
Tomkins,  you'll  oblige  me  by  putting  the  butter-jar  down  in 
the  report,  in  case  it  should  slip  my  memory.  Bill  Jones, 
indeed,  looks  as  if  butter  wouldn't  melt  in  his  month.  Never 
mind.  Well,  it  was,  as  I  said  before — it  was  in  the  year 
ninety-three  or  ninety-four,  when  I  was  in  the  Channel  fleet ; 
we  were  then  off  Torbay,  and  had  just  taken  two  reefs  in 
the  top-sails.  Stop — before  I  go  on  with  my  story,  I'll  take 
18(J 


CUTTER   THE   SECOND 

my  last  glass ;  I  think  it's  the  last — let  me  count.  Yes,  by 
heavens  !  I  make  out  sixteen,  well  told.  Never  mind,  it 
shall  be  a  stiff'  one.  Boy,  bring  the  kettle,  and  mind  you 
don't  pour  the  hot  water  into  my  shoes,  as  you  did  the 
other  night.  There,  that  will  do.  Now,  Tomkins,  fill  up 
yours ;  and  you,  Mr.  Smith.  Let  us  all  start  fair,  and  then 
you  shall  have  my  story — and  a  very  curious  one  it  is,  I  can 
tell  you ;  I  wouldn't  have  believed  it  myself,  if  I  hadn't  seen 
it.  Hilloa !  what's  this  ?  Confound  it !  what's  the  matter 
with  the  toddy  ?  Heh,  Mr.  Tomkins  ?  " 

Mr.  Tomkins  tasted  ;  but,  like  the  lieutenant,  he  had  made 
it  very  stiff;  and,  as  he  had  also  taken  largely  before,  he  was, 
like  him,  not  quite  so  clear  in  his  discrimination.  "  It  has 
a  queer  twang,  sir ;  Smith,  what  is  it  ?  " 

Smith  took  up  his  glass,  tasted  the  contents. 

"  Salt  water,"  drawled  the  midshipman. 

"Salt  water!  so  it  is,  by  heavens  !"  cried  Mr.  Appleboy. 

"  Salt  as  Lot's  wife  !  by  all  that's  infamous  ! "  cried  the 
master's  mate. 

"  Salt  water,  sir  ! "  cried  Jem  in  a  fright,  expecting  a  salt 
eel  for  supper. 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  Mr.  Appleboy,  tossing  the  contents  of 
the  tumbler  in  the  boy's  face,  "salt  water.  Very  well,  sir — 
very  well ! " 

"  It  warn't  me,  sir,"  replied  the  boy,  making  up  a  piteous 
look. 

"  No,  sir,  but  you  said  the  cook  was  sober." 

"  He  was  not  so  very  much  disguised,  sir,"  replied  Jem. 

"  Oh  !  very  well — never  mind.  Mr.  Tomkins,  in  case  I 
should  forget  it,  do  me  the  favour  to  put  the  kettle  of  salt 
water  down  in  the  report.  The  scoundrel !  I'm  very  sorry, 
gentlemen,  but  there's  no  means  of  having  any  more  gin- 
toddy.  But  never  mind,  we'll  see  to  this  to-morrow  Two 
can  play  at  this  ;  and  if  I  don't  salt-water  their  grog,  and 
make  them  drink  it  too,  I  have  been  twenty  years  a  first 
lieutenant  for  nothing,  that's  all.  Good  night,  gentlemen; 
187 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

and,"  continued  the  lieutenant,  in  a  severe  tone,  "you'll  keep 
a  sharp  look-out,  Mr.  Smith — do  you  hear,  sir?" 

"  Yes,"  drawled  Smith,  "  but  it's  not  my  watch ;  it  was  my 
first  watch;  and  just  now  it  struck  one  bell." 

"You'll  keep  the  middle  watch,  then,  Mr.  Smith,"  said 
Mr.  Appleboy,  who  was  not  a  little  put  out;  "and,  Mr. 
Tomkins,  let  me  know  as  soon  as  it's  daylight.  Boy,  get  my 
bed  made.  Salt  water,  by  all  that's  blue !  However,  we'll 
see  to  that  to-morrow  morning." 

Mr.  Appleboy  then  turned  in ;  so  did  Mr.  Tomkins  ;  and  so 
did  Mr.  Smith,  who  had  no  idea  of  keeping  the  middle  watch 
because  the  cook  was  drunk  and  had  filled  up  the  kettle  with 
salt  water.  As  for  what  happened  in  ninety-three  or  ninety- 
four,  I  really  would  inform  the  reader  if  I  knew ;  but  I  am 
afraid  that  that  most  curious  story  is  never  to  be  handed 
down  to  posterity. 

The  next  morning  Mr.  Tomkins,  as  usual,  forgot  to  report 
the  cook,  the  jar  of  butter,  and  the  kettle  of  salt  water ;  and 
Mr.  Appleboy's  wrath  had  long  been  appeased  before  he 
remembered  them.  At  daylight,  the  lieutenant  came  on 
deck,  having  only  slept  away  half  of  the  sixteen,  and  a  taste 
of  the  seventeenth  salt-water  glass  of  gin-toddy  He  rubbed 
his  grey  eyes,  that  he  might  peer  through  the  grey  of  the 
morning ;  the  fresh  breeze  blew  about  his  grizzly  locks,  and 
cooled  his  rubicund  nose.  The  revenue  cutter,  whose  name 
was  the  Active,  cast  off  from  the  buoy,  and,  with  a  fresh 
breeze,  steered  her  course  for  the  Needles'  passage. 


CHAPTER  in 

CUTTER    THE     THIRD 

READER  !  have  you   been  to  St.   Maloes  ?     If  you  have, 

you  were  glad  enough  to  leave  the  hole ;  and  if  you  have 

not,  take  my  advice,  and  do  not  give  yourself  the  trouble  to 

188 


CUTTER  THE  THIRD 

go  and  see  that  or  any  other  French  port  in  the  Channel. 
There  is  not  one  worth  looking  at.  They  have  made  one 
or  two  artificial  ports,  and  they  are  no  great  things ;  there  is 
no  getting  out  or  getting  in.  In  fact,  they  have  no  harbours 
in  the  Channel,  while  we  have  the  finest  in  the  world  ;  a 
peculiar  dispensation  of  Providence,  because  it  knew  that  we 
should  want  them,  and  France  would  not.  In  France,  what 
are  called  ports  are  all  alike — nasty,  narrow  holes,  only  to  be 
entered  at  certain  times  of  tide  and  certain  winds ;  made  up 
of  basins  and  back-waters,  custom-houses,  and  cabarets;  just 
fit  for  smugglers  to  run  into,  and  nothing  more  ;  and,  therefore, 
they  are  used  for  very  little  else. 

Now,  in  the  dog-hole  called  St.  Maloes  there  is  some 
pretty  land,  although  a  great  deficiency  of  marine  scenery. 
But  never  mind  that.  Stay  at  home,  and  don't  go  abroad 
to  drink  sour  wine,  because  they  call  it  Bordeaux,  and  eat 
villainous  trash,  so  disguised  by  cooking  that  you  cannot 
possibly  tell  which  of  the  birds  of  the  air,  or  beasts  of  the 
field,  or  fishes  of  the  sea,  you  are  cramming  down  your  throat. 
"If  all  is  right,  there  is  no  occasion  for  disguise,"  is  an  old 
saying ;  so  depend  upon  it  that  there  is  something  wrong, 
and  that  you  are  eating  offal,  under  a  grand  French  name. 
They  eat  everything  in  France,  and  would  serve  you  up  the 
head  of  a  monkey  who  has  died  of  the  smallpox,  as  singe  au 
petite  vtfrole — that  is,  if  you  did  not  understand  French ;  if 
you  did,  they  would  call  it,  tete  d' amour  a  I'Ethiopique,  and 
then  you  would  be  even  more  puzzled.  As  for  their  wine, 
there  is  no  disguise  in  that ;  it's  half  vinegar.  No,  no  '  stay 
at  home;  you  can  live  just  as  cheaply,  if  you  choose;  and 
then  you  will  have  good  meat,  good  vegetables,  good  ale, 
good  beer,  and  a  good  glass  of  grog ;  and,  what  is  of  more 
importance,  you  will  be  in  good  company.  Live  with  your 
friends,  and  don't  make  a  fool  of  yourself. 

I  would  not  have  condescended  to  have  noticed  this  place, 
had  it  not  been  that  I  wish  you  to  observe  a  vessel  which  is 
lying  along  the  pier-wharf,  with  a  plank  from  the  shore  to 
189 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

her  gunwale.  It  is  low  water,  and  she  is  aground,  and  the 
plank  dips  down  at  such  an  angle  that  it  is  a  work  of  danger 
to  go  either  in  or  out  of  her.  You  observe  that  there  is 
nothing  very  remarkable  in  her.  She  is  a  cutter,  and  a  good 
sea-boat,  and  sails  well  before  the  wind.  She  is  short  for  her 
breadth  of  beam,  and  is  not  armed.  Smugglers  do  not  arm 
now — the  service  is  too  dangerous  ;  they  effect  their  purpose 
by  cunning,  not  by  force.  Nevertheless,  it  requires  that 
smugglers  should  be  good  seamen,  smart,  active  fellows,  and 
keen-witted,  or  they  can  do  nothing.  This  vessel  has  not  a 
large  cargo  in  her,  but  it  is  valuable.  She  has  some  thousand 
yards  of  lace,  a  few  hundred  pounds  of  tea,  a  few  bales  of 
silk,  and  about  forty  ankers  of  brandy — just  as  much  as  they 
can  land  in  one  boat.  All  they  ask  is  a  heavy  gale  or  a  thick 
fog,  and  they  trust  to  themselves  for  success. 

There  is  nobody  on  board  except  a  boy ;  the  crew  are  all 
up  at  the  cabaret,  settling  their  little  accounts  of  every 
description — for  they  smuggle  both  ways,  and  every  man  has 
his  own  private  venture.  There  they  are  all,  fifteen  of  them, 
and  fine-looking  fellows,  too,  sitting  at  that  long  table.  They 
are  very  merry,  but  quite  sober,  as  they  are  to  sail  to-night. 

The  captain  of  the  vessel  (whose  -name,  by-the-bye,  is  the 
Happy-go-lucky — the  captain  christened  her  himself),  is  that 
fine-looking  young  man,  with  dark  whiskers  meeting  under 
his  throat.  His  name  is  Jack  Pickersgill.  You  perceive  at 
once  that  he  is  much  above  a  common  sailor  in  appearance. 
His  manners  are  good,  he  is  remarkably  handsome,  very  clean, 
and  rather  a  dandy  in  his  dress.  Observe  how  very  politely 
he  takes  off  his  hat  to  that  Frenchman,  with  whom  he  has 
just  settled  accounts ;  he  beats  Johnny  Crapeau  at  his  own 
weapons.  And  then  there  is  an  air  of  command,  a  feeling 
of  conscious  superiority,  about  Jack  ;  see  how  he  treats  the 
landlord,  de  haut  en  bos,  at  the  same  time  that  he  is  very  civil. 
The  fact  is,  that  Jack  is  of  a  very  good  old  family,  and 
received  a  very  excellent  education ;  but  he  was  an  orphan, 
his  friends  were  poor,  and  could  do  but  little  for  him ;  he 
190 


CUTTER  THE  THIRD 

went  out  to  India  as  a  cadet,  ran  away,  and  served  in  a 
schooner  which  smuggled  opium  into  China,  and  then  came 
home.  He  took  a  liking  to  the  employment,  and  is  now 
laying  up  a  very  pretty  little  sum  :  not  that  he  intends  to 
stop :  no,  as  soon  as  he  has  enough  to  fit  out  a  vessel  for 
himself,  he  intends  to  start  again  for  India,  and  with  two 
cargoes  of  opium  he  will  return,  he  trusts,  with  a  handsome 
fortune,  and  re-assume  his  family  name.  Such  are  Jack's 
intentions ;  and,  as  he  eventually  means  to  reappear  as  a 
gentleman,  he  preserves  his  gentlemanly  habits ;  he  neither 
drinks,  nor  chews,  nor  smokes.  He  keeps  his  hands  clean, 
wears  rings,  and  sports  a  gold  snuff-box ;  notwithstanding 
which,  Jack  is  one  of  the  boldest  and  best  of  sailors,  and  the 
men  know  it.  He  is  full  of  fun,  and  as  keen  as  a  razor. 
Jack  has  a  very  heavy  venture  this  time — all  the  lace  is  his 
own  speculation,  and  if  he  gets  it  in  safe,  he  will  clear  some 
thousands  of  pounds.  A  certain  fashionable  shop  in  London 
has  already  agreed  to  take  the  whole  off  his  hands. 

That  short,  neatly-made  young  man  is  the  second  in  com- 
mand, and  the  companion  of  the  captain.  He  is  clever,  and 
always  has  a  remedy  to  propose  when  there  is  a  difficulty, 
which  is  a  great  quality  in  a  second  in  command.  His  name 
is  Corbett.  He  is  always  merry  — half-sailor,  half-tradesman  ; 
knows  the  markets,  runs  up  to  London,  and  does  business  as 
well  as  a  chapman — lives  for  the  day  and  laughs  at  to-morrow. 

That  little  punchy  old  man,  with  long  grey  hair  and  fat 
face,  with  a  nose  like  a  note  of  interrogation,  is  the  next 
personage  of  importance.  He  ought  to  be  called  the  sailing- 
master,  for,  although  he  goes  on  shore  in  France,  off  the 
English  coast  he  never  quits  the  vessel.  When  they  leave 
her  with  the  goods,  he  remains  on  board  ;  he  is  always  to  be 
found  off  any  part  of  the  coast  where  he  may  be  ordered ; 
holding  his  position  in  defiance  of  gales,  and  tides,  and  fogs  : 
as  for  the  revenue  vessels,  they  all  knew  him  well  enough, 
but  they  cannot  touch  a  vessel  in  ballast,  if  she  has  no  more 
men  on  board  than  allowed  by  her  tonnage.  He  knows 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

every  creek,  and  hole,  and  corner  of  the  coast ;  how  the  tide 
runs  in — tide,  half-tide,  eddy,  or  current.  That  is  his  value. 
His  name  is  Morrison. 

You  observe  that  Jack  Pickersgill  has  two  excellent  sup- 
porters in  Corbett  and  Morrison  ;  his  other  men  are  good 
seamen,  active  and  obedient,  which  is  all  that  he  requires. 
I  shall  not  particularly  introduce  them. 

"  Now  you  may  call  for  another  litre,  my  lads,  and  that 
must  be  the  last ;  the  tide  is  flowing  fast,  and  we  shall  be 
afloat  in  half-an-hour,  and  we  have  just  the  breeze  we  want. 
What  d'ye  think,  Morrison,  shall  we  have  dirt  ?  " 

"I've  been  looking  just  now,  and  if  it  were  any  other 
month  in  the  year  I  should  say  yes ;  but  there's  no  trusting 
April,  captain.  Howsomever,  if  it  does  blow  off,  I'll  promise 
you  a  fog  in  three  hours  afterwards." 

"That  will  do  as  well.  Corbett,  have  you  settled  with 
Duval  ? " 

"Yes,  after  more  noise  and  charivari  than  a  panic  in  the 
Stock  Exchange  would  make  in  England.  He  fought  and 
squabbled  for  an  hour,  and  I  found  that,  without  some  abate- 
ment, I  never  should  have  settled  the  affair." 

"What  did  you  let  him  off? " 

"  Seventeen  sous,"  replied  Corbett,  laughing. 

"And  that  satisfied  him  ?"  inquired  Pickersgill. 

"  Yes — it  was  all  he  could  prove  to  be  a  surfaire :  two  of 
the  knives  were  a  little  rusty.  But  he  will  always  have 
something  off;  he  could  not  be  happy  without  it.  I  really 
think  he  would  commit  suicide  if  he  had  to  pay  a  bill  with- 
out a  deduction." 

"Let  him  live,"  replied  Pickersgill.  "Jeannette,  a  bottle 
of  Volnay  of  1811,  and  three  glasses." 

Jeannette,  who  was  thejille  de  cabaret,  soon  appeared  with 
a  bottle  of  wine,  seldom  called  for,  except  by  the  captain  of 
the  Happy-go-lucky. 

"  You  sail  to-night  ? ' '  said  she,  as  she  placed  the  bottle 
before  him. 

192 


CUTTER  THE  THIRD 

Pickersgill  nodded  his  head. 

"  I  had  a  strange  dream,"  said  Jeannette  ;  "  I  thought  you 
were  all  taken  by  a  revenue  cutter,,  and  put  in  a  cac/iot.  I 
went  to  see  you,  and  I  did  not  know  one  of  you  again — you 
were  all  changed." 

"  Very  likely,  Jeannette ;  you  would  not  be  the  first  who 
did  not  know  their  friends  again  when  in  misfortune.  There 
was  nothing  strange  in  your  dream." 

"Mais,  man  Dieu  !  je  ne  suis  pas  comme  90,  moi." 

"No,  that  you  are  not,  Jeannette  ;  you  are  a  good  girl,  and 
some  of  these  fine  days  I'll  marry  you,"  said  Corbett. 

"  Doit  etre  bien  beau  ce  jour  la,  par  excinple,"  replied  Jean- 
nette, laughing ;  "  you  have  promised  to  marry  me  every  time 
you  have  come  in  these  last  three  years." 

"  Well,  that  proves  I  keep  to  my  promise,  anyhow." 

"Yes ;  but  you  never  go  any  further." 

"  I  can't  spare  him,  Jeannette,  that  is  the  real  truth,"  said 
the  captain  ;  "  but  wait  a  little,— in  the  meantime,  here  is  a 
five-franc  piece  to  add  to  your  petite  fortune." 

"  Merci  bien,  monsieur  le  capitaine  ;  ban  voyage  !  "  Jeannette 
held  her  finger  up  to  Corbett,  saying,  with  a  smile,  "  mechant!" 
and  then  quitted  the  room. 

"Come,  Morrison,  help  us  to  empty  this  bottle,  and  then 
we  will  all  go  on  board." 

"  I  wish  that  girl  wouldn't  come  here  with  her  nonsensical 
dreams,"  said  Morrison,  taking  his  seat ;  "  I  don't  like  it. 
When  she  said  that  we  should  be  taken  by  a  revenue  cutter, 
I  was  looking  at  a  blue  and  a  white  pigeon  sitting  on  the 
wall  opposite ;  and  I  said  to  myself,  Now,  if  that  be  a  warn- 
ing, I  will  see :  if  the  blue  pigeon  flies  away  first,  I  shall  be  in 
jail  in  a  week  ;  if  the  white,  I  shall  be  back  here." 

"  Well  ?  "  said  Pickersgill,  laughing. 

"  It  wasn't  well,"  answered  Morrison,  tossing  off  his  wine, 
and  putting  the  glass  down  with  a  deep  sigh ;  "  for  the 
cursed  blue  pigeon  flew  away  immediately." 

"Why,  Morrison,  you  must  have  a  chicken  heart  to  be 
193  N 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

frightened  at  a  blue  pigeon  ! "  said  Corbett,  laughing,  and 
looking  out  of  the  window  ;  "  at  all  events,  he  has  come  back 
again,  and  there  he  is  sitting  by  the  white  one." 

"  It's  the  first  time  that  ever  I  was  called  chicken-hearted," 
replied  Morrison  in  wrath. 

"  Nor  do  you  deserve  it,  Morrison,"  replied  Pickersgill ; 
"but  Corbett  is  only  joking." 

"  Well,  at  all  events,  I'll  try  my  luck  in  the  same  way,  and 
see  whether  I  am  to  be  in  jail :  I  shall  take  the  blue  pigeon 
as  my  bad  omen,  as  you  did." 

The  sailors  and  Captain  Pickersgill  all  rose  and  went  to 
the  window,  to  ascertain  Corbett's  fortune  by  this  new 
species  of  augury.  The  blue  pigeon  flapped  his  wings,  and 
then  he  sidled  up  to  the  white  one ;  at  last,  the  white  pigeon 
flew  off  the  wall  and  settled  on  the  roof  of  the  adjacent  house. 
"  Bravo,  white  pigeon  !  "  said  Corbett ;  "  I  shall  be  here  again 
in  a  week."  The  whole  party,  laughing,  then  resumed  their 
seats ;  and  Morrison's  countenance  brightened  up.  As  he 
took  the  glass  of  wine  poured  out  by  Pickersgill,  he  said, 
"  Here's  your  health,  Corbett ;  it  was  all  nonsense,  after  all — 
for,  d'ye  see,  I  can't  be  put  in  jail  without  you  are.  We  all 
sail  in  the  same  boat,  and  when  you  leave  me  you  take  with 
you  everything  that  can  condemn  the  vessel — so  here's  success 
to  our  trip." 

"  We  will  all  drink  that  toast,  my  lads,  and  then  on  board," 
said  the  captain  ;  "  here's  success  to  our  trip." 

The  captain  rose,  as  did  the  mates  and  men,  drank  the 
toast,  turned  down  the  drinking  vessels  on  the  table,  hastened 
to  the  whaif,  and  in  half-an-hour  the  Happy-go-lucky  was 
clear  of  the  port  of  St.  Maloes. 


194 


PORTLAND  BILL 
CHAPTER   IV 

PORTLAND    BILL 

1  HE  Happy-go-lucky  sailed  with  a  fresh  breeze  and  a  flow- 
ing sheet  from  St.  Maloes  the  evening  before  the  Arrow 
sailed  from  Bam  Pool.  The  Active  sailed  from  Portsmouth 
the  morning  after. 

The  yacht,  as  we  before  observed,  was  bound  to  Cowes,  in  the 
Isle  of  Wight.  The  Active  had  orders  to  cruise  wherever  she 
pleased  within  the  limits  of  the  admiral's  station ;  and  she  ran 
for  West  Bay,  on  the  other  side  of  the  Bill  of  Portland.  The 
Happy-go-lucky  was  also  bound  for  that  bay  to  land  her  cargo. 
The  wind  was  light,  and  there  was  every  appearance  of 
fine  weather,  when  the  Happy-go-lucky,  at  ten  o'clock  on 
the  Tuesday  night,  made  the  Portland  lights ;  as  it  was  im- 
possible to  run  her  cargo  that  night,  she  hove-to. 

At  eleven  o'clock  the  Portland  lights  were  made  by  the 
revenue  cutter  Active.  Mr.  Applebov  went  up  to  have  a  look  at 
them,  ordered  the  cutter  to  be  hove-to,  and  then  went  down 
to  finish  his  allowance  of  gin-toddy.  At  twelve  o'clock  the 
yacht  Arrow  made  the  Portland  lights,  and  continued  her 
course,  hardly  stemming  the  ebb  tide. 

Day  broke,  and  the  horizon  was  clear.  The  first  on  the 
look-out  were,  of  course,  the  smugglers ;  they,  and  those 
on  board  the  revenue  cutter,  were  the  only  two  interested 
parties — the  yacht  was  neuter. 

"  There  are  two  cutters  in  sight,  sir,"  said  Corbett,  who  had 
the  watch ;  for  Pickersgill,  having  been  up  the  whole  night, 
had  thrown  himself  down  on  the  bed  with  his  clothes  on. 

"  What  do  they  look  like  ?  "  said  Pickersgill,  who  was  up 
in  a  moment. 

"  One  is  a  yacht,  and  the  other  may  be  ;  but  I  rather  think, 
as  far  as  I  can  judge  in  the  grey,  that  it  is  our  old  friend 
off  here." 

195 


THE  THREE   CUTTERS 

"What!  old  Appleboy?" 

"  Yes,  it  looks  like  him  ;  but  the  day  has  scarcely  broke  yet." 

"  Well,  he  can  do  nothing  in  a  light  wind  like  this ;  and 
before  the  wind  we  can  show  him  our  heels  ;  but  are  you  sure 
the  other  is  a  yacht  ? "  said  Pickersgill,  coming  on  deck. 

"  Yes  ;  the  king  is  more  careful  of  his  canvas." 

"  You're  right,"  said  Pickersgill,  "  that  is  a  yacht ;  and 
you're  right  there  again  in  your  guess — that  is  the  stupid 
old  Active  which  creeps  about  creeping  for  tubs.  Well,  I  see 
nothing  to  alarm  us  at  present,  provided  it  don't  fall  a  dead 
calm,  and  then  we  must  take  to  our  boat  as  soon  as  he  takes 
to  his,  we  are  four  miles  from  him  at  least.  Watch  his  motions, 
Corbett,  and  see  if  he  lowers  a  boat.  What  does  she  go  now  ? 
Four  knots  ?— that  will  soon  tire  their  men." 

The  positions  of  the  three  cutters  were  as  follows  : — 

The  Happy-go-lucky  was  about  four  miles  off  Portland 
Head,  and  well  into  West  Bay.  The  revenue  cutter  was 
close  to  the  Head.  The  yacht  was  outside  of  the  smuggler, 
about  two  miles  to  the  westward,  and  about  five  or  six  miles 
from  the  revenue  cutter. 

"  Two  vessels  in  sight,  sir,"  said  Mr.  Smith,  coming  down 
into  the  cabin  to  Mr.  Appleboy. 

"Very  well,"  replied  the  lieutenant,  who  was  lying  down 
in  his  standing  bed-place. 

"The  people  say  one  is  the  Happy-go-lucky,  sir,"  drawled 
Smith. 

"Heh?  what!  Happy-go-lucky?  Yes,  I  recollect;  I've  boarded 
her  twenty  times — always  empty.  How's  she.st;mding  ?  " 

"  She  stands  to  the  westward  now,  sir ;  but  she  was  hove- 
to,  they  say,  when  they  first  saw  her." 

"Then  she  has  a  cargo  in  her ;  "  and  Mr.  Appleboy  shaved 
himself,  dressed,  and  went  on  deck. 

"Yes,"  said  the  lieutenant,  rubbing  his  eyes  again  and 
again,  and  then  looking  through  the  glass,  "  it  is  her,  sure 
enough.  Let  draw  the  foresheet — hands  make  sail.  What 
vessel's  the  other  ?  " 

196 


PORTLAND  BILL 

"  Don't  know,  sir, — she's  a  cutter." 

"  A  cutter  ?  yes ;  maybe  a  yacht,  or  maybe  the  new  cutter 
ordered  on  the  station.  Make  all  sail,  Mr.  Tomkins  ;  hoist  our 
pendant,  and  fire  a  gun — they  will  understand  what  we  mean 
then  ;  they  don't  know  the  Happy-go-luc/.y  as  well  as  we  do." 

In  a  few  minutes  the  Active  was  under  a  press  of  sail ;  she 
hoisted  her  pendant,  and  fired  a  gun.  The  smuggler  per- 
ceived that  the  Active  had  recognised  her,  and  she  also  threw 
out  more  canvas,  and  ran  off  more  to  the  westward. 

"There's  a  gun,  sir,"  reported  one  of  the  men  to  Mr. 
Stewart,  on  board  of  the  yacht. 

"Yes;  give  me  the  glass — a  revenue  cutter;  then  this 
vessel  in  shore  running  towards  us  must  be  a  smuggler." 

"She  has  just  now  made  all  sail,  sir." 

"  Yes,  there's  no  doubt  of  it.  I  will  go  down  to  his  lord- 
ship ;  keep  her  as- she  goes." 

Mr.  Stewart  then  went  down  to  inform  Lord  B.  of  the 
circumstance.  Not  only  Lord  B.  but  most  of  the  gentlemen 
came  on  deck  ;  as  did  soon  afterwards  the  ladies,  who  had 
received  the  intelligence  from  Lord  B.,  who  spoke  to  them 
through  the  door  of  the  cabin. 

But  the  smuggler  had  more  wind  than  the  revenue  cutter, 
and  increased  her  distance. 

"If  we  were  to  wear  round,  my  lord/'  observed  Mr. 
Stewart,  "she  is  just  abreast  of  us  and  in  shore,  we  could 
prevent  her  escape." 

"  Round  with  her,  Mr.  Stewart,"  said  Lord  B. ;  "  we  must 
do  our  duty  and  protect  the  laws." 

"That  will  not  be  fair,  papa,"  said  Cecilia  Ossulton;  "we 
have  no  quarrel  with  the  smugglers :  I'm  sure  the  ladies 
have  not,  for  they  bring  us  beautiful  things." 

"  Miss  Ossulton,"  observed  her  aunt,  "  it  is  not  proper  for 
you  to  offer  an  opinion." 

The  yacht  wore  round,  and,  sailing  so  fast,  the  smuggler 
had  little  chance  of  escaping  her ;  but  to  chase  is  one  thing 
— to  capture  another. 

197 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

"Let  us  give  her  a  gun,"  said  Lord  B.,  "that  will  frighten 
her ;  and  he  dare  not  cross  our  hawse." 

The  gun  was  loaded,  and  not  being  more  than  a  mile  from  the 
smuggler,  actually  threw  the  ball  almost  a  quarter  of  the  way. 

The  gentlemen,  as  well  as  Lord  B.,  were  equally  excited 
by  the  ardour  of  pursuit ;  but  the  wind  died  away,  and  at  last 
it  was  nearly  calm.  The  revenue  cutter's  boats  were  out,  and 
coming  up  fast. 

"  Let  us  get  our  boat  out,  Stewart,"  said  his  lordship,  "  and 
help  them  ;  it  is  quite  calm  now." 

The  boat  was  soon  out :  it  was  a  very  large  one,  usually 
stowed  on,  and  occupied  a  large  portion  of,  the  deck.  It 
pulled  six  oars ;  and  when  it  was  manned,  Mr.  Stewart 
jumped  in,  and  Lord  B.  followed  him. 

"  But  you  have  no  arms,"  said  Mr.  Hautaine. 

"The  smugglers  never  resist  now,"  observed  Stewart. 

"  Then  you  are  going  on  a  very  gallant  expedition  indeed," 
observed  Cecilia  Ossulton  ;  "  I  wish  you  joy." 

But  Lord  B.  was  too  much  excited  to  pay  attention.  They 
shoved  off,  and  pulled  towards  the  smuggler. 

At  this  time  the  revenue  boats  were  about  five  miles  astern 
of  the  Happy-go-lucky,  and  the  yacht  about  three-quarters  of 
a  mile  from  her  in  the  offing.  Pickersgill  had,  of  course, 
observed  the  motions  of  the  yacht ;  had  seen  her  wear  on 
chase,  hoist  her  ensign  and  pendant,  and  fire  her  gun. 

"  Well,"  said  he,  "  this  is  the  blackest  ingratitude  :  to  be 
attacked  by  the  very  people  whom  we  smuggle  for !  I  only 
wish  she  may  come  up  with  us  ;  and,  let  her  attempt  to  inter- 
fere, she  shall  rue  the  day.  I  don't  much  like  this,  though." 

As  we  before  observed,  it  fell  nearly  calm,  and  the  revenue 
boats  were  in  chase.  Pickersgill  watched  them  as  they  came  up. 

"  What  shall  we  do  ?  "   said  Corbett,  "  get  the  boat  out  ?  " 

"  Yes,"  replied  Pickersgill,  "  we  will  get  the  boat  out,  and 

have  the  goods  in  her  all  ready ;  but  we  can  pull  faster  than 

they  do,  in  the  first  place;  and,  in  the  next,  they  will  be 

pretty  well  tired  before  they  come  up  to  us.     We  are  fresh, 

198 


'Then  you  are  going  on  a  very  gallant  expedition  indeed, 
observed  Cecilia  Ossulton.'' 


PORTLAND   BILL 

and  shall  soon  walk  away  from  them ;  so  I  shall  not  leave 
the  vessel  till  they  are  within  half  a  mile.  We  must  sink 
the  ankers,  that  they  may  not  seize  the  vessel,  for  it  is  not 
worth  while  taking  them  with  us.  Pass  them  along,  ready 
to  run  them  over  the  bows,  that  they  may  not  see  us  and 
swear  to  it.  But  we  have  a  good  half-hour  and  more." 

"  Ay,  and  you  may  hold  all  fast  if  you  choose/'  said  Mor- 
rison, "although  it's  better  to  be  on  the  right  side  and  get 
ready ;  otherwise,  before  half-an-hour,  I'll  swear  that  we  are 
out  of  their  sight.  Look  there,"  said  he,  pointing  to  the 
eastward  at  a  heavy  bank,  "  it's  coming  right  down  upon  us, 
as  I  said  it  would." 

"  True  enough  ;  but  still  there  is  no  saying  which  will  come 
first,  Morrison,  the  boats  or  the  fog;  so  we  must  be  prepared." 

"  Hilloa  !  what's  this  ?  why,  there's  a  boat  coming  from 
the  yacht ! " 

Pickersgill  took  out  his  glass. 

"Yes,  and  the  yacht's  own  boat,  with  the  name  painted  on 
her  bows.  Well,  let  them  come — we  will  have  no  ceremony 
in  resisting  them  ;  they  are  not  in  the  Act  of  Parliament, 
and  must  take  the  consequences.  We  have  nought  to  fear. 
Get  stretchers,  my  lads,  and  handspikes ;  they  row  six  oars, 
and  are  three  in  the  stern  sheets :  they  must  be  good  men  if 
they  take  us." 

In  a  few  minutes  Lord  B.  was  close  to  the  smuggler. 

"  Boat  ahoy  !  what  do  you  want  ?  " 

"  Surrender  in  the  king's  name." 

"  To  what,  and  to  whom,  and  what  are  we  to  surrender  ? 
We  are  an  English  vessel  coasting  along  shore." 

"  Pull  on  board,  my  lads,"  cried  Stewart ;  "  I  am  a  king's 
officer  :  we  know  her." 

The  boat  darted  alongside,  and  Stewart  and  Lord  B., 
followed  by  the  men,  jumped  on  the  deck. 

"  Well,  gentlemen,  what  do  you  want  ?  "  said  Pickersgill. 

"  We  seize  you  !  you  are  a  smuggler, — there's  no  denying 
it :  look  at  the  casks  of  spirits  stretched  along  the  deck." 
199 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

"We  never  said  that  we  were  not  smugglers,"  replied 
Pickersgill ;  "  but  what  is  that  to  you  ?  You  are  not  a  king's 
ship,  or  employed  by  the  revenue." 

"  No  ;  but  we  carry  a  pendant,  and  it  is  our  duty  to  protect 
the  laws." 

"  And  who  are  you  ?  "  said  Pickersgill. 

"  I  am  Lord  B." 

"  Then,  my  lord,  allow  me  to  say  that  you  would  do  much 
better  to  attend  to  the  framing  of  laws,  and  leave  people  of 
less  consequence,  like  those  astern  of  me,  to  execute  them. 
( Mind  your  own  business '  is  an  old  adage.  We  shall  not 
hurt  you,  my  lord,  as  you  have  only  employed  words,  but 
we  shall  put  it  out  of  your  power  .to  hurt  us.  Come  aft,  my 
lads.  Now,  my  lord,  resistance  is  useless  ;  we  are  double  your 
numbers,  and  you  have  caught  a  Tartar." 

Lord  B.  and  Mr.  Stewart  perceived  that  they  were  in  an 
awkward  predicament. 

"You  may  do  what  you  please/'  observed  Mr.  Stewart, 
"  but  the  revenue  boats  are  coming  up,  recollect." 

"  Look  you,  sir,  do  you  see  the  revenue  cutter  ? "  said 
Pickersgill. 

Stewart  looked  in  that  direction,  and  saw  that  she  was 
hidden  in  the  fog. 

"  In  five  minutes,  sir,  the  boats  will  be  out  of  sight  also, 
and  so  will  your  vessel ;  we  have  nothing  to  fear  from  them." 

"  Indeed,  my  lord,  we  had  better  return,"  said  Mr.  Stewart, 
who  perceived  that  Pickersgill  was  right. 

"  I  beg  your  pardon,  you  will  not  go  on  board  your  yacht  so 
soon  as  you  expect.  Take  the  oars  out  of  the  boat,  my  lads, 
two  or  three  of  you,  and  throw  in  a  couple  of  our  paddles  for 
them  to  reach  the  shore  with.  The  rest  of  you  knock  down 
the  first  man  who  offers  to  resist.  You  are  not  aware,  perhaps, 
my  lord,  that  you  have  attempted piraci/  on  the  high  seas?" 

Stewart  looked  at  Lord  B.     It  was  true  enough.     The  men 
of  the  yacht  could  offer  no  resistance  ;  the  oars  were  taken 
out  of  the  boat  and  the  men  put  in  again. 
200 


PORTLAND   BILL 

"  My  lord,"  said  Pickersgill,  "  your  boat  is  manned,  do 
me  the  favour  to  step  into  it ;  and  you,  sir,  do  the  same.  I 
should  be  sorry  to  lay  my  hands  upon  a  peer  of  the  realm,  or 
a  king's  officer  even  on  half-pay." 

Remonstrance  was  vain ;  his  lordship  was  led  to  the  boat 
by  two  of  the  smugglers,  and  Stewart  followed. 

"  I  will  leave  your  oars,  my  lord,  at  the  Weymouth  Custom- 
house, and  I  trust  this  will  be  a  lesson  to  you  in  future  to 
'  mind  your  own  business.'  " 

The  boat  was  shoved  off  from  the  sloop  by  the  smugglers, 
and  was  soon  lost  sight  of  in  the  fog,  which  had  now  covered 
the  revenue  boats  as  well  as  the  yacht,  at  the  same  time  it 
brought  down  a  breeze  from  the  eastward. 

"Haul  to  the  wind,  Morrison,"  said  Pickersgill,  "we  will 
stand  out  to  get  rid  of  the  boats ;  if  they  pull  on  they  will 
take  it  for  granted  that  we  shall  run  into  the  bay,  as  will  the 
revenue  cutter.** 

Pickersgill  and  Corbett  were  in  conversation  abaft  for  a 
short  time,  when  the  former  desired  the  course  to  be  altered 
two  points. 

"  Keep  silence  all  of  you,  my  lads,  and  let  me  know  if  you 
hear  a  gun  or  a  bell  from  the  yacht,"  said  Pickersgill. 

"There  is  a  gun,  sir,  close  to  us,"  said  one  of  the  men  ; 
"the  sound  was  right  ahead." 

"That  will  do,  keep  her  as  she  goes.  Aft  here,  my 
lads ;  we  cannot  run  our  cargo  in  the  bay,  for  the  cutter 
has  been  seen  to  chase  us,  and  they  will  all  be  on  the 
look  -  out  at  the  Preventive  stations  for  us  on  shore. 
Now,  my  lads,  I  have  made  up  my  mind  that,  as  these 
yacht  gentlemen  have  thought  proper  to  interfere,  that 
I  will  take  possession  of  the  yacht  for  a  few  days.  We 
shall  then  outsail  everything,  go  where  we  like  unsus- 
pected, and  land  our  cargo  with  ease.  I  shall  run  along- 
side of  her — she  can  have  but  few  hands  on  board ;  and 
mind,  do  not  hurt  anybody,  but  be  civil  and  obey  my 
orders.  Morrison,  you  and  your  four  men  and  the  boy 
201 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

will  remain  on  board  as  before,  and  take  the  vessel  to  Cher- 
bourg, where  we  will  join  you." 

In  a  short  time  another  gun  was  fired  from  the  yacht. 

Those  on  board,  particularly  the  ladies,  were  alarmed ;  the 
fog  was  very  thick,  and  they  could  not  distinguish  the  length 
of  the  vessel.  They  had  seen  the  boat  board,  but  had  not 
seen  her  turned  adrift  without  oars,  as  the  fog  came  on  just 
at  that  time.  The  yacht  was  left  with  only  three  seamen 
on  board,  and  should  it  come  on  bad  weather,  they  were  in 
an  awkward  predicament.  Mr.  Hautaine  had  taken  the 
command,  and  ordered  the  guns  to  be  fired  that  the  boat 
might  be  enabled  to  find  them.  The  fourth  gun  was  loading, 
when  they  perceived  the  smuggler's  cutter  close  to  them 
looming  through  the  fog. 

"  Here  they  are,"  cried  the  seamen ;  "  and  they  have 
brought  the  prize  along  with  them !  Three  cheers  for  the 
Arrow  !  " 

"  Hilloa  !  you'll  be  on  board  of  us  ! "  cried  Hautaine. 

"That's  exactly  what  I  intended  to  be,  sir,"  replied 
Pi  eke  rsgill,  jumping  on  the  quarter-deck,  followed  by  his  men. 

"  Who  the  devil  are  you  ?  " 

"  That's  exactly  the  same  question  that  I  asked  Lord  B. 
when  he  boarded  us,"  replied  Pickersgill,  taking  off  his  hat 
to  the  ladies. 

"  Well,  but  what  business  have  you  here  ?  " 

"Exactly  the  same  question  which  I  put  to  Lord  B.," 
replied  Pickersgill. 

"  Where  is  Lord  B.,  sir  ?  "  said  Cecilia  Ossulton,  going  up 
to  the  smuggler ;  "  is  he  safe  ?  " 

"  Yes,  madam,  he  is  safe ;  at  least  he  is  in  his  boat  with 
all  his  men,  and  unhurt ;  but  you  must  excuse  me  if  I  request 
you  and  the  other  ladies  to  go  down  below  while  I  speak  to 
these  gentlemen.  Be  under  no  alarm,  miss,  you  will  receive 
neither  insult  nor  ill-treatment — I  have  only  taken  possession 
of  this  vessel  for  the  present." 

"Take  possession,"  cried  Hautaine,  "of  a  yacht?  " 
202 


PORTLAND   BILL 

"Yes,  sir,  since  the  owner  of  the  yacht  thought  proper  to 
attempt  to  take  possession  of  me.  I  always  thought  that 
yachts  were  pleasure  vessels,  sailing  about  for  amusement, 
respected  themselves,  and  not  interfering  with  others ;  but 
it  appears  that  such  is  not  the  case.  The  owner  of  this  yacht 
has  thought  proper  to  break  through  the  neutrality  and  com- 
mence aggression,  and  under  such  circumstances  I  have  now, 
in  retaliation,  taken  possession  of  her." 

"  And  pray  what  do  you  mean  to  do,  sir  ?  " 

"Simply  for  a  few  days  to  make  an  exchange.  I  shall 
send  you  on  board  of  my  vessel  as  smugglers,  while  I  remain 
here  with  the  ladies  and  amuse  myself  with  yachting." 

"Why,  sir,  you  cannot  mean " 

"  I  have  said,  gentlemen,  and  that  is  enough  ;  I  should  be 
sorry  to  resort  to  violence,  but  I  must  be  obeyed.  You  have, 
I  perceive,  three  seamen  only  left :  they  are  not  sufficient 
to  take  charge  of  the  vessel,  and  Lord  B.  and  the  others  you 
will  not  meet  for  several  days.  My  regard  for  the  ladies, 
even  common  humanity,  points  out  to  me  that  I  cannot  leave 
the  vessel  in  this  crippled  condition.  At  the  same  time,  I 
must  have  hands  on  board  of  my  own  :  you  will  oblige  me  by 
going  on  board  and  taking  her  safely  into  port.  It  is  the  least 
return  you  can  make  for  my  kindness.  In  those  dresses,  gentle* 
men,  you  will  not  be  able  to  do  your  duty ;  oblige  me  by 
shifting  and  putting  on  these."  Corbett^handed  a  flannel  shirt, 
a  rough  jacket  and  trousers  to  Messrs.  Hautaine,  Ossulton, 
Vaughan,  and  Seagrove.  After  some  useless  resistance  they 
were  stripped,  and  having  put  on  the  smugglers'  attire,  they 
were  handed  on  board  of  the  Happy-go-lucky. 

The  three  English  seamen  were  also  sent  on  board  and 
confined  below,  as  well  as  Ossulton's  servant,  who  was  also 
equipped  like  his  master,  and  confined  below  with  the  sea- 
men. Corbett  and  the  men  then  handed  up  all  the  smuggled 
goods  into  the  yacht,  dropped  the  boat,  and  made  it  fast 
astern,  and  Morrison  having  received  his  directions,  the 
vessels  separated,  Morrison  running  for  Cherbourg,  and 
203 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

Pickersgill  steering  the  yacht  along  shore  to  the  westward. 
About  an  hour  after  this  exchange  had  been  effected  the 
fog  cleared  up,  and  showed  the  revenue  cutter  hove-to  for 
her  boats,  which  had  pulled  back  and  were  close  on  board 
of  her,  and  the  Happy-go-lucky  about  three  miles  in  the  offing  ; 
Lord  B.  and  his  boat's  crew  were  about  four  miles  in-shore, 
paddling  and.  drifting  with  the  tide  towards  Portland.  As 
soon  as  the  boats  were  on  board,  the  revenue  cutter  made  all 
sail  after  the  smuggler,  paying  no  attention  to  the  yacht,  and 
either  not  seeing  or  not  caring  about  the  boat  which  was  drift- 
ing about  in  West  Bay. 


CHAPTER   V 

THE    TRAVESTIE 

XlERE  we  are,  Corbett,  and  now  I  only  wish  my  venture 
had  been  double,"  observed  Pickersgill  ;  "  but  I  shall  not 
allow  business  to  absorb  me  wholly — we  must  add  a  little 
amusement.  It  appears  to  me,  Corbett,  that  the  gentleman's 
clothes  which  lie  there  will  fit  you,  and  those  of  the  good- 
looking  fellow  who  was  spokesman  will,  I  am  sure,  suit  me 
well.  Now  let  us  dress  ourselves,  and  then  for  breakfast." 

Pickersgill  then  exchanged  his  clothes  for  those  of  Mr. 
Hautaine,  and  Corbett  fitted  on  those  of  Mr.  Ossulton.  The 
steward  was  summoned  up,  .and  he  dared  not  disobey ;  he 
appeared  on  deck,  trembling. 

"  Steward,  you  will  take  these  clothes  below,"  said  Pickers- 
gill,  "and,  observe,  that  I  now  command  this  yacht;  and 
during  the  time  that  I  am  on  board  you  will  pay  me  the 
same  respect  as  you  did  Lord  B.  ;  nay,  more,  you  will  always 
address  me  as  Lord  B.  You  will  prepare  dinner  and  breakfast, 
and  do  your  duty  just  as  if  his  lordship  was  on  board,  and 
take  care  that  you  feed  us  well,  for  I  will  not  allow  the  ladies 
to  be  entertained  in  a  less  sumptuous  manner  than  before. 
You  will  tell  the  cook  what  I  say ;  and  now  that  you  have 
204 


THE  TRAVESTIE 

heard  me,  take  care  that  you  obey ;  if  not,  recollect  that  I 
have  my  own  men  here,  and  if  I  but  point  with  my  finger, 
overboard  you  go.  Do  you  perfectly  comprehend  me  ?  " 

"  Yes, — sir,"  stammered  the  steward. 

"  Yes,  sir  /—What  did  I  tell  you,  sirrah  ?— Yes,  my  lord. 
Do  you  understand  me  ?  " 

"Yes — my  lord." 

"Pray,  steward,  whose  clothes  has  this  gentleman  put  on?" 

"Mr. — Mr.  Ossulton's,  I  think — sir — my  lord,  I  mean." 

"  Very  well,  steward  ;  then  recollect  in  future  you  always 
address  that  gentleman  as  Mr.  Ossullon." 

"  Yes,  my  lord,"  and  the  steward  went  down  below,  and 
was  obliged  to  take  a  couple  of  glasses  of  brandy  to  keep 
himself  from  fainting. 

"  Who  are  they,  and  what  are  they,  Mr.  Maddox  ?  "  cried 
the  lady's-maid,  who  had  been  weeping. 

"  Pirates  ! — bloody,  murderous  stick-at-notkit/g  pirates  !  "  re- 
plied the  steward. 

"Oh!"  screamed  the  lady's-maid,  "what  will  become  of 
us,  poor  unprotected  females  ?  "  And  she  hastened  into  the 
cabin,  to  impart  this  dreadful  intelligence. 

The  ladies  in  the  cabin  were  not  in  a  very  enviable  situa- 
tion. As  for  the  elder  Miss  Ossulton  (but,  perhaps,  it  will 
be  better  in  future  to  distinguish  the  two  ladies,  by  calling 
the  elder  simply  Miss  Ossulton,  and  her  niece,  Cecilia),  she 
was  sitting  with  her  salts  to  her  nose,  agonised  with  a  mixture 
of  trepidation  and  wounded  pride.  Mrs.  Lascelles  was  weep- 
ing, but  weeping  gently.  Cecilia  was  sad,  and  her  heart  was 
beating  with  anxiety  and  suspense,  when  the  maid  rushed  in. 

"Oh,  madam !  oh,  miss !  oh,  Mrs.  Lascelles !  I  have  found  it  all 
out! — they  are  murderous,  bloody,  do-everything  pirates!!!" 

"Mercy  on  us!"  exclaimed  Miss  Ossulton;  "  surely  they 
will  never  dare " 

"Oh,  ma'am,  they  dare  anything  ! — they  just  now  were  for 
throwing  the  steward  overboard  ;  and  they  have  rummaged  all 
the  portmanteaus,  and  dressed  themselves  in  the  gentlemen's 
205 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

best  clothes.  The  captain  of  them  told  the  steward  that  he 
was  Lord  B.,  and  that  if  he  dared  to  call  him  anything  else, 
he  would  cut  his  throat  from  ear  to  ear ;  and  if  the  cook 
don't  give  them  a  good  dinner,  they  swear  that  they'll 
chop  his  right  hand  off,  and  make  him  eat  it  without  pepper 
or  salt ! " 

Miss  Ossulton  screamed,  and  went  off  into  hysterics.  Mrs. 
Lascelles  and  Cecilia  went  to  her  assistance ;  but  the  latter 
had  not  forgotten  the  very  different  behaviour  of  Jack 
Pickersgill,  and  his  polite  manners,  when  he  boarded  the 
vessel.  She  did  not,  therefore,  believe  what  the  maid  had 
reported,  but  still  her  anxiety  and  suspense  were  great, 
especially  about  her  father.  After  having  restored  her  aunt 
she  put  on  her  bonnet,  which  was  lying  on  the  sofa. 

"  Where  are  you  going,  dear  ?  "  said  Mrs.  Lascelles. 

"  On  deck,"  replied  Cecilia.  "  I  must  and  will  speak  to 
these  men." 

"  Gracious  heaven,  Miss  Ossulton  !  going  on  deck  !  have 
you  heard  what  Phrebe  says  ?  " 

"Yes,  aunt,  I  have  ;  but  I  can  wait  here  no  longer." 

"  Stop  her  !  stop  her  ! — she  will  be  murdered  ! — she  will 
be — she  is  mad  ! "  screamed  Miss  Ossulton ;  but  no  one 
attempted  to  stop  Cecilia,  and  on  deck  she  went.  On  her 
arrival  she  found  Jack  Pickersgill  and  Corbett  walking  the  deck, 
one  of  the  smugglers  at  the  helm,  and  the  rest  forward,  and 
as  quiet  as  the  crew  of  the  yacht.  As  soon  as  she  made  her 
appearance  Jack  took  off  his  hat,  and  made  her  a  bow. 

"  I  do  not  know  whom  I  have  the  honour  of  addressing, 
young  lady ;  but  I  am  nattered  with  this  mark  of  confidence. 
You  feel,  and  I  assure  you  you  feel  correctly,  that  you  are  not 
exactly  in  lawless  hands." 

Cecilia  looked  with  more  surprise  than  fear  at  Pickersgill. 
Mr.  Hautaine's  dress  became  him ;  he  was  a  handsome,  fine- 
looking  man,  and  had  nothing  of  the  ruffian  in  his  appearance  ; 
unless,  like  Byron's  Corsair,  he  was  half  savage,  half  soft.  She 
could  not  help  thinking  that  she  had  met  many  with  less 
206 


THE  TRAVESTIE 

pretensions,  as  far  as  appearance  went,  to  the  claims  of  a 
gentleman,  at  Almack's  and  other  fashionable  circles. 

"  I  have  ventured  on  deck,  sir,"  said  Cecilia,  with  a  little 
tremulousness  in  her  voice,  "  to  request,  as  a  favour,  that  you 
will  inform  me  what  your  intentions  may  be  with  regard  to 
the  vessel  and  with  regard  to  the  ladies  ! " 

"  And  I  feel  much  obliged  to  you  for  so  doing,  and  I  assure 
you  I  will,  as  far  as  I  have  made  up  my  own  mind,  answer 
you  candidly  :  but  you  tremble — allow  me  to  conduct  you  to 
a  seat.  In  few  words,  then,  to  remove  your  present  alarm, 
I  intend  that  the  vessel  shall  be  returned  to  its  owner,  with 
every  article  in  it,  as  religiously  respected  as  if  they  were 
church  property.  With  respect  to  you,  and  the  other  ladies 
on  board,  I  pledge  you  my  honour  that  you  have  nothing  to 
fear ;  that  you  shall  be  treated  with  every  respect ;  your 
privacy  never  invaded ;  and  that,  in  ac  few  days,  you  will 
be  restored  to  your  friends.  Young  lady,  I  pledge  my  hopes 
of  future  salvation  to  the  truth  of  this  ;  but,  at  the  same 
time,  I  must  make  a  few  conditions,  which,  however,  will 
not  be  very  severe." 

"But,  sir,"  replied  Cecilia,  much  relieved,  for  Pickersgill 
had  stood  by  her  in  the  most  respectful  manner,  "  you  are,  I 
presume,  the  captain  of  the  smuggler  ?  Pray  answer  me  one 
question  more — What  became  of  the  boat  with  Lord  B.  ?  He 
is  my  father." 

"  I  left  him  in  his  boat,  without  a  hair  of  his  head  touched, 
young  lady ;  but  I  took  away  the  oars." 

"  Then  he  will  perish  ! "  cried  Cecilia,  putting  her  hand- 
kerchief to  her  eyes. 

"  No,  young  lady  ;  he  is  on  shore,  probably,  by  this  time. 
Although  I  took  away  his  means  of  assisting  to  capture  us,  I 
left  him  the  means  of  gaining  the  land.  It  is  not  every  one 
who  would  have  done  that,  after  his  conduct  to  us." 

"  I  begged  him  not  to  go,"  said  Cecilia  ;  "  I  told  him  that  it 
was  not  fair,  and  that  he  had  no  quarrel  with  the  smugglers." 

"I  thank  you  even  for  that,"  replied  Pickersgill.  "And 
207 


THE  THREE   CUTTERS 

now,  miss — I  have  not  the  pleasure  of  recollecting  his  lord- 
ship's family  name ' 

"  Ossulton,  sir,"  said  Cecilia,  looking  at  Pickersgill  with 
surprise. 

"Then,  with  your  permission,  Miss  Ossulton,  I  will  now 
make  you  my  confidant :  excuse  my  using  so  free  a  term,  but 
it  is  because  I  wish  to  relieve  your  fears.  At  the  same  time, 
I  cannot  permit  you  to  divulge  all  my  intentions  to  the  whole 
party  on  board.  I  feel  that  I  may  trust  you,  for  you  have 
courage,  and  where  there  is  courage  there  generally  is  truth ; 
but  you  must  first  tell  me  whether  you  will  condescend  to 
accept  these  terms  ?  " 

Cecilia  demurred  a  moment ;  the  idea  of  being  the  con- 
fidant of  a  smuggler  rather  startled  her :  but  still,  her  know- 
ledge of  what  his  intentions  were,  if  she  might  not  reveal 
them,  might  be  important;  as,  perhaps,  she  might  dissuade 
him.  She  could  be  in  no  worse  position  than  she  was  now, 
and  she  might  be  in  a  much  better.  The  conduct  of  Pickers- 
gill  had  been  such,  up  to  the  present,  as  to  inspire  confidence  ; 
and,  although  he  defied  the  laws,  he  appeared  to  regard  the 
courtesies  of  life.  Cecilia  was  a  courageous  girl,  and  at  length 
she  replied— 

"  Provided  what  you  desire  me  to  keep  secret  will  not 
be  injurious  to  any  one,  or  compromise  me  in  my  peculiar 
situation,  I  consent." 

"  I  would  not  hurt  a  fly,  Miss  Ossulton,  but  in  self-defence  ; 
and  I  have  too  much  respect  for  you,  from  your  conduct 
during  our  short  meeting,  to  compromise  you.  Allow  me 
now  to  be  very  candid ;  and  then,  perhaps,  you  will  acknow- 
ledge that  in  my  situation  others  would  do  the  same,  and, 
perhaps,  not  show  half  so  much  forbearance.  Your  father, 
without  any  right  whatever,  interferes  with  me  and  my  call- 
ing :  he  attempts  to  make  me  a  piisoner,  to  have  me  thrown 
in  jail,  heavily  fined,  and,  perhaps,  sent  out  of  the  country. 
I  will  not  enter  into  any  defence  of  smuggling  :  it  is  sufficient 
to  say  that  there  are  pains  and  penalties  attached  to  the 
208 


THE  TRAVESTIE 

infraction  of  certain  laws,  and  that  I  choose  to  risk  them. 
But  Lord  B.  was  not  empowered  by  Government  to  attack 
me ;  it  was  a  gratuitous  act ;  and  had  I  thrown  him  and  all 
his  crew  into  the  sea,,  I  should  have  been  justified  :  for  it 
was,  in  short,  an  act  of  piracy  on  their  part.  Now,  as  your 
father  has  thought  to  turn  a  yacht  into  a  revenue  cutter, 
you  cannot  be  surprised  at  my  retaliating,  in  turning  her 
into  a  smuggler ;  and  as  he  has  mixed  up  looking  after 
the  revenue  with  yachting,  he  cannot  be  surprised  if  I 
retaliate,  by  mixing  up  a  little  yachting  with  smuggling. 
I  have  dressed  your  male  companions  as  smugglers,  and 
have  sent  them  in  the  smuggling  vessel  to  Cherbourg, 
where  they  will  be  safely  landed ;  and  I  have  dressed 
myself,  and  the  only  person  whom  I  could  join  with  me  in 
this  frolic,  as  gentlemen,  in  their  places.  My  object  is  two- 
fold :  one  is,  to  land  my  cargo,  which  I  have  now  on  board, 
and  which  is  very  valuable ;  the  other  is,  to  retaliate  upon 
your  father  and  his  companions  for  their  attempt  upon 
me,  by  stepping  into  their  shoes,  and  enjoying,  for  a  day  or 
two,  their  luxuries.  It  is  my  intention  to  make  free  with 
nothing  but  his  lordship's  wines  and  eatables — that  you 
may  be  assured  of;  but  I  shall  have  no  pleasure  if  the  ladies 
do  not  sit  down  to  the  dinner-table  with  us,  as  they  did 
before  with  your  father  and  his  friends." 

"You  can  hardly  expect  that,  sir,"  said  Cecilia. 

"  Yes,  I  do ;  and  that  will  be  not  only  the  price  of  the 
early  release  of  the  yacht  and  themselves,  but  it  will  also  be 
the  only  means  by  which  they  will  obtain  anything  to  eat. 
You  observe,  Miss  Ossulton,  the  sins  of  the  fathers  are  visited 
on  the  children.  I  have  now  told  you  what  I  mean  to  do, 
and  what  I  wish.  I  leave  you  to  think  of  it,  and  decide 
whether  it  will  not  be  the  best  for  all  parties  to  consent. 
You  have  my  permission  to  tell  the  other  ladies  that,  what- 
ever may  be  their  conduct,  they  are  as  secure  from  ill-treat- 
ment or  rudeness  as  if  they  were  in  Grosvenor  Square  ;  but  I 
cannot  answer  that  they  will  not  be  hungry,  if,  after  such 

soy  o 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

forbearance  in  every  point,  they  show  so  little  gratitude  as 
not  to  honour  me  with  their  company." 

"  Then  I  am  to  understand  that  we  are  to  be  starved  into 
submission  ?  " 

"  No,  not  starved,  Miss  Ossulton ;  but  recollect  that  you 
will  be  on  bread  and  water,  and  detained  until  you  do  consent, 
and  your  detention  will  increase  the  anxiety  of  your  father." 

"You  know  how  to  persuade,  sir,"  said  Cecilia.  "As  far 
as  I  am  concerned,  I  trust  I  shall  ever  be  ready  to  sacrifice 
any  feelings  of  pride  to  spare  my  father  so  much  uneasiness. 
With  your  permission,  I  will  now  go  down  into  the  cabin  and 
relieve  my  companions  from  the  worst  of  their  fears.  As  for 
obtaining  what  you  wish,  I  can  only  say  that,  as  a  young 
person,  I  am  not  likely  to  have  much  influence  with  those 
older  than  myself,  and  must  inevitably  be  overruled,  as  I  have 
not  permission  to  point  out  to  them  reasons  which  might 
avail.  Would  you  so  far  allow  me  to  be  relieved  from  my 
promise,  as  to  communicate  all  you  have  said  to  me  to  the 
only  married  woman  on  board  ?  I  think  I  then  might  obtain 
your  wishes,  which,  I  must  candidly  tell  you,  I  shall  attempt 
to  effect  only  because  I  am  most  anxious  to  rejoin  my  friends." 

"And  be  relieved  of  my  company,"  replied  Pickersgill, 
smiling  ironically — "of  course  you  are;  but  I  must  and  will 
have  my  petty  revenge  :  and  although  you  may,  and  probably 
will,  detest  me,  at  all  events  you  shall  not  have  any  very 
formidable  charge  to  make  against  me.  Before  you  go  below, 
Miss  Ossulton,  I  give  you  my  permission  to  add  the  married 
lady  to  the  number  of  my  confidants;  and  you  must  permit 
me  to  introduce  my  friend,  Mr.  Ossulton;"  and  Pickersgill 
waved  his  hand  in  the  direction  of  Corbett,  who  took  off  his 
hat  and  made  a  low  obeisance. 

It  was  impossible  for  Cecilia  Ossulton  to  help  smiling. 

"  And,"  continued  Pickersgill,  "  having  taken  the  com- 
mand of  this  yacht  instead  of  his  lordship,  it  is  absolutely 
necessary  that  I  also  take  his  lordship's  name.  While  on 
board  I  am  Lord  B. ;  and  allow  me  to  introduce  myself  under 
210 


THE  TRAVESTIE 

that  name ;  I  cannot  be  addressed  otherwise.  Depend  upon 
it,  Miss  Ossulton,  that  I  shall  have  a  most  paternal  solicitude 
to  make  you  happy  and  comfortable." 

Had  Cecilia  Ossulton  dared  to  have  given  vent  to  her  real 
feelings  at  that  time,  she  would  have  burst  into  a  fit  of 
laughter ;  it  was  too  ludicrous.  At  the  same  time,  the  very 
burlesque  reassured  her  still  more.  She  went  into  the  cabin 
with  a  heavy  weight  removed  from  her  heart. 

In  the  meantime,  Miss  Ossulton  and  Mrs.  Lascelles  re- 
mained below,  in  the  greatest  anxiety  at  Cecilia's  prolonged 
stay ;  they  knew  not  what  to  think,  and  dared  not  go  on 
deck.  Mrs.  Lascelles  had  once  determined  at  all  risks  to  go 
up;  but  Miss  Ossulton  and  Phoebe  had  screamed  and  implored 
her  so  fervently  not  to  leave  them,  that  she  unwillingly  con- 
sented to  remain.  Cecilia's  countenance,  when  she  entered 
the  cabin,  reassured  Mrs.  Lascelles,  but  not  her  aunt,  who 
ran  to  her  crying  and  sobbing,  and  clinging  to  her,  saying, 
"  What  have  they  done  to  you,  my  poor,  poor  Cecilia  ?  " 

"  Nothing  at  all,  aunt/'  replied  Cecilia  ;  "the  captain  speaks 
very  fairly,  and  says  he  shall  respect  us  in  every  possible  way, 
provided  that  we  obey  his  orders ;  but  if  not " 

"If  not — what,  Cecilia?"  said  Miss  Ossulton,  grasping  her 
niece's  arm. 

"  He  will  starve  us,  and  not  let  us  go  ! " 

"  God  have  mercy  on  us  ! "  cried  Miss  Ossulton,  renewing 
her  sobs. 

Cecilia  then  went  to  Mrs.  Lascelles,  and  communicated  to 
her  apart  all  that  had  passed.  Mrs.  Lascelles  agreed  with 
Cecilia  that  they  were  in  no  danger  of  insult ;  and  as  they 
talked  over  the  matter  they  at  last  began  to  laugh ;  there 
was  a  novelty  in  it,  and  there  was  something  so  ridiculous 
in  all  the  gentlemen  being  turned  into  smugglers.  Cecilia 
was  glad  that  she  could  not  tell  her  aunt,  as  she  wished  her 
to  be  so  frightened  as  never  to  have  her  company  on  board 
the  yacht  again ;  and  Mrs.  Lascelles  was  too  glad  to  annoy 
her  for  many  and  various  insults  received.  The  matter  was 
211 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

therefore  canvassed  over  very  satisfactorily,  and  Mrs.  Lascelles 
felt  a  natural  curiosity  to  see  this  new  Lord  B.  and  the 
second  Mr.  Ossulton.  But  they  had  had  no  breakfast,  and 
were  feeling  very  hungry  now  that  their  alarm  was  over. 
They  desired  Phrebe  to  ask  the  steward  for  some  tea  or  coffee. 
The  reply  was,  that  "Breakfast  was  laid  in  the  cabin,  and 
Lord  B.  trusted  that  the  ladies  would  come  to  partake  of  it." 

"  No,  no,"  replied  Mrs.  Lascelles,  "  I  never  can,  without 
being  introduced  to  them  first." 

"Nor  will  I  go,"  replied  Cecilia,  "but  I  will  write  a  note, 
and  we  will  have  our  breakfast  here."  Cecilia  wrote  a  note 
in  pencil  as  follows  : — 

"Miss  Ossulton's  compliments  to  Lord  B.,  and,  as  the 
ladies  feel  rather  indisposed  after  the  alarm  of  this  morning, 
they  trust  that  his  lordship  will  excuse  their  coming  to  break- 
fast ;  but  hope  to  meet  his  lordship  at  dinner,  if  not  before 
that  time  on  deck." 

The  answer  was  propitious,  and  the  steward  soon  appeared 
with  the  breakfast  in  the  ladies'  cabin. 

"  Well,  Maddox,"  said  Cecilia,  "  how  do  you  get  on  with 
your  new  master  ?  " 

The  steward  looked  at  the  door,  to  see  if  it  was  closed, 
shook  his  head,  and  then  said,  with  a  look  of  despair,  "  He 
has  ordered  a  haunch  of  venison  for  dinner,  miss,  and  he  has 
twice  threatened  to  toss  me  overboard." 

"You  must  obey  him,  Maddox,  or  he  certainly  will. 
These  pirates  are  dreadful  fellows.  Be  attentive,  and  serve 
him  just  as  if  he  was  my  father." 

"  Yes,  yes,  ma'am,  I  will ;  but  our  time  may  come.  It's 
burglary  on  the  high  seas,  and  I'll  go  fifty  miles  to  see  him 
hanged." 

"  Steward  ! "  cried  Pickersgill,  from  the  cabin. 

"  O  Lord !  he  can't  have  heard  me — d'ye  think  he  did, 
miss?' 

212 


THE  TRAVESTIE 

"  The  partitions  ai-e  very  thin,  and  you  spoke  very  loud," 
said  Mrs.  Lascelles  ;  "  at  all  events,  go  to  him  quickly." 

"  Good-bye,  miss  ;  good-bye,  ma'am,  if  I  shouldn't  see  you 
any  more,"  said  Maddox,  trembling  with  fear,  as  he  obeyed 
the  awful  summons — which  was  to  demand  a  toothpick. 

Miss  Ossulton  would  not  touch  the  breakfast ;  not  so  Mrs. 
Lascelles  and  Cecilia,  who  ate  very  heartily. 

"It's  very  dull  to  be  shut  up  in  this  cabin,"  said  Mrs. 
Lascelles;  "come,  Cecilia,  let's  go  on  deck." 

"  And  leave  me  !  "  cried  Miss  Ossulton. 

"  There  is  Phoebe  here,  aunt ;  we  are  going  up  to  persuade 
the  pirates  to  put  us  all  on  shore." 

Mrs.  Lascelles  and  Cecilia  put  on  their  bonnets  and  went 
up.  Lord  B.  took  off  his  hat,  and  begged  the  honour  of 
being  introduced  to  the  pretty  widow.  He  handed  the 
ladies  to  a  seat,  and  then  commenced  conversing  upon  various 
subjects,  which  at  the  same  time  possessed  great  novelty. 
His  lordship  talked  about  France,  and  described  its  ports  ; 
told  now  and  then  a  good  anecdote ;  pointed  out  the  different 
headlands,  bays,  towns,  and  villages,  which  they  were  pass- 
ing rapidly,  and  always  had  some  little  story  connected  with 
each.  Before  the  ladies  had  been  two  hours  on  deck  they 
found  themselves,  to  their  infinite  surprise,  not  only  inte- 
rested, but  in  conversation  with  the  captain  of  the  smuggler, 
and  more  than  once  they  laughed  outright.  But  the  soi- 
ditant  Lord  B.  had  inspired  them  with  confidence ;  they  fully 
believed  that  what  he  had  told  them  was  true,  and  that  he 
had  taken  possession  of  the  yacht  to  smuggle  his  goods,  to 
be  revenged,  and  to  have  a  laugh.  Now  none  of  these  three 
offences  are  capital  in  the  eyes  of  the  fair  sex,  and  Jack  was 
a  handsome,  fine-looking  fellow,  of  excellent  manners  and 
very  agreeable  conversation  ;  at  the  same  time,  neither  he 
nor  his  friend  were  in  their  general  deportment  and  behaviour 
otherwise  than  most  respectful. 

"  Ladies,  as  you  are  not  afi'aid  of  me,  which  is  a  greater 
happiness  than  I  had  reason  to  expect,  I  think  you  may  be 
213 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

amused  to  witness  the  fear  of  those  who  accuse  your  sex  of 
cowardice.  With  your  permission,  I  will  send  for  the  cook 
and  steward,  and  inquire  about  the  dinner." 

"I  should  like  to  know  what  there  is  for  dinner,"  observed 
Mrs.  Lascelles  demurely;  "wouldn't  you,  Cecilia?" 

Cecilia  put  her  handkerchief  to  her  mouth. 

"  Tell  the  steward  and  the  cook  both  to  come  aft  imme- 
diately," cried  Pickersgill. 

In  a  few  seconds  they  both  made  their  appearance. 

"Steward  !"  cried  Pickersgill,  with  a  loud  voice. 

"Yes,  my  lord,"  replied  Maddox,  with  his  hat  in  his  hand. 

"  What  wines  have  you  put  out  for  dinner  ?  " 

"  Champagne,  my  lord ;  and  claret,  my  lord  ;  and  Madeira 
and  sherry,  my  lord." 

"  No  Burgundy,  sir  ?  " 

"  No,  my  lord  ;  there  is  no  Burgundy  on  board." 

"  No  Burgundy,  sir  !  do  you  dare  to  tell  me  that  ?  " 

"  Upon  my  soul,  my  lord,"  cried  Maddox,  dropping  on  his 
knees,  "there  is  no  Burgundy  on  board — ask  the  ladies." 

"Very  well,  sir,  you  may  go." 

"  Cook,  what  have  you  got  for  dinner  ?  " 

"  Sir,  a  haunch  of  mutt — of  venison,  my  lord,"  replied  the 
cook,  with  his  white  nightcap  in  his  hand. 

"  What  else,  sirrah  ?  " 

"A  boiled  calf's  head,  my  lord." 

"A  boiled  calf's  head  '    Let  it  be  roasted,  or  I'll  roast  you, 
sir  ! "  cried  Pickersgill,  in  an  angry  tone. 

"  Yes,  my  lord  ;  I'll  roast  it." 

"And  what  else,  sir?" 

"  Maintenon  cutlets,  my  lord." 

"  Maintenon  cutlets  !     I  hate  them — I  won't  have  them, 
sir.     Let  them  be  dressed  a  I' ombre  Chinoise." 

"I  don't  know  what  that  is,  my  lord." 

"  I  don't  care  for  that,   sirrah ;  if  you  don't  find  out  by 
dinner-time,  you're  food  for  fishes — that's  all ;  you  may  go." 

The  cook  walked  off  wringing  his  hands  and  his  nightcap 
214 


THE  SMUGGLING  YACHT 

as  well — for  he  still  held  it  in  his  right  hand — and  disappeared 
down  the  fore-hatchway. 

"I  have  done  this  to  pay  you  a  deserved  compliment, 
ladies ;  you  have  more  courage  than  the  other  sex." 

"  Recollect  that  we  have  had  confidence  given  to  us  in 
consequence  of  your  pledging  your  word,  my  lord." 

"  You  do  me,  then,  the  honour  of  believing  me  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  until  I  saw  you,"  replied  Mrs.  Lascelles ;  "but 
now  I  am  convinced  that  you  will  perform  your  promise." 

"  You  do  indeed  encourage  me,  madam,  to  pursue  what 
is  right,"  said  Pickersgill,  bowing ;  "  for  your  approbation  I 
should  be  most  sorry  to  lose,  still  more  sorry  to  prove  myself 
unworthy  of  it." 

As  the  reader  will  observe,  everything  was  going  on  re- 
markably well. 

CHAPTER  VI 

THE    SMUGGLING    YACHT 

(CECILIA  returned  to  the  cabin,  to  ascertain  whether  her  aunt 
was  more  composed ;  but  Mrs.  Lascelles  remained  on  deck. 
She  was  much  pleased  with  Pickersgill ;  and  they  continued 
their  conversation.  Pickersgill  entered  into  a  defence  of  his 
conduct  to  Lord  B.  ;  and  Mrs.  Lascelles  could  not  but  admit 
the  provocation.  After  a  long  conversation  she  hinted  at 
his  profession,  and  how  superior  he  appeared  to  be  to  such 
a  lawless  life. 

"You  may  be  incredulous,  madam,"  replied  Pickersgill,  "if  I 
tell  you  that  I  have  as  good  a  right  to  quarter  my  arms  as  Lord 
B.  himself;  and  that  I  am  not  under  my  real  name.  Smuggling 
is,  at  all  events,  no  crime  ;  and  I  infinitely  prefer  the  wild  life  I 
lead  at  the  head  of  my  men  to  being  spurned  by  society  because 
I  am  poor.  The  greatest  crime  in  this  country  is  poverty.  I 
may,  if  I  am  fortunate,  some  day  resume  my  name.  You  may, 
perhaps,  meet  me,  and  if  you  please,  you  may  expose  me." 
215 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

"  That  I  should  not  be  likely  to  do,"  replied  the  widow ; 
"but  still  I  regret  to  see  a  person,  evidently  intended  for 
better  things,  employed  in  so  disreputable  a  profession." 

"  I  hardly  know,  madam,  what  is  and  what  is  not  dis- 
reputable in  this  conventional  world.  It  is  not  considered 
disreputable  to  cringe  to  the  vices  of  a  court,  or  to  accept 
a  pension  wrung  from  the  industry  of  the  nation,  in  return 
for  base  servility.  It  is  not  considered  disreputable  to  take 
tithes,  intended  for  the  service  of  God,  and  lavish  them  away 
at  watering-places  or  elsewhere,  seeking  pleasure  instead  of 
doing  God  service.  It  is  not  considered  disreputable  to  take 
fee  after  fee  to  uphold  injustice,  to  plead  against  innocence, 
to  pervert  truth,  and  to  aid  the  devil.  It  is  not  considered 
disreputable  to  gamble  on  the  Stock  Exchange,  or  to  corrupt 
the  honesty  of  electors  by  bribes,  for  doing  which  the  penalty 
attached  is  equal  to  that  decreed  to  the  offence  of  which 
I  am  guilty.  All  these,  and  much  more,  are  not  considered 
disreputable ;  yet  by  all  these  are  the  moral  bonds  of  society 
loosened,  while  in  mine  we  cause  no  guilt  in  others " 

"  But  still  it  is  a  crime." 

"A  violation  of  the  revenue  laws,  and  no  more.  Observe, 
madam,  the  English  Government  encourage  the  smuggling 
of  our  manufactures  to  the  Continent,  at  the  same  time  that 
they  take  every  step  to  prevent  articles  being  smuggled  into 
this  country.  Now,  madam,  can  that  be  a  crime  when  the 
head  of  the  vessel  is  turned  north,  which  becomes  no  crime 
when  she  steers  the  opposite  way  ?  " 

"There  is  a  stigma  attached  to  it,  you  must  allow." 

"That  I  grant  you,  madam;  and  as  soon  as  I  can  quit  the 
profession  I  shall.  No  captive  ever  sighed  more  to  be  re- 
leased from  his  chains  ;  but  I  will  not  leave  it,  till  1  find  that 
I  am  in  a  situation  not  to  be  spurned  and  neglected  by  those 
with  whom  I  have  a  right  to  associate." 

At  this  moment  the  steward  was  seen  forward  making  signs 
to  Mrs.  Lascelles,  who  excused  herself,  and  went  to  him. 

"For   the   love   of  God,   madam,"   said   Maddox,    "as    he 


THE  SMUGGLING  YACHT 

appears  to  !:e  friendly  with  von,  do  pray  find  out  how  these 
cutlets  are  to  be  dressed  ;  the  cook  is  tearing  his  hair,  and 
we  shall  never  have  any  dinner ;  and  then  it  will  all  fall  upon 
me,  and  I — shall  be  tossed  overboard." 

Mrs.  Lascelles  desired  poor  Maddox  to  wait  there  while 
she  obtained  the  desired  information.  In  a  few  minutes  she 
returned  to  him. 

"  I  have  found  it  out.  They  are  first  to  be  boiled  in  vinegar, 
then  fried  in  batter,  and  served  up  with  a  sauce  of  anchovy 
and  Malaga  raisins  ! " 

"  First  fried  in  vinegar,  then  boiled  in  batter,  and  served 
up  with  almonds  and  raisins  '  " 

"  No — no  !  "  Mrs.  Lascelles  repeated  the  injunction  to  the 
frightened  steward,  and  then  returned  aft,  and  re-entered 
into  a  conversation  with  Pickersgill,  in  which  for  the  first 
time  Corbett  now  joined.  Corbett  had  sense  enough  to  feel, 
that  the  less  he  came  forward  until  his  superior  had  established 
himself  in  the  good  graces  of  the  ladies,  the  more  favourable 
would  be  the  result. 

In  the  meantime  Cecilia  had  gone  down  to  her  aunt,  who 
still  continued  to  wail  and  lament.  The  young  lady  tried 
all  she  could  to  console  her,  and  to  persuade  her  that  if  they 
were  civil  and  obedient  they  had  nothing  to  fear. 

"  Civil  and  obedient,  indeed  ! "  cried  Miss  Ossulton,  "  to  a 
fellow  who  is  a  smuggler  and  a  pirate  !  I,  the  sister  of  Lord 
B.  !  Never  '  The  presumption  of  the  wretch  !  " 

"  That  is  all  very  well,  aunt ;  but  recollect,  we  must  submit 
to  circumstances.  These  men  insist  upon  our  dining  with 
them  ;  and  we  must  go,  or  we  shall  have  no  dinner." 

"  I  sit  down  with  a  pirate  !  Never  !  I'll  have  no  dinner — 
I'll  starve— I'll  die  !  " 

"  But,  my  dear  aunt,  it's  the  only  chance  we  have  of  obtain- 
ing our  release ;  and  if  you  do  not  do  it  Mrs.  Lascelles  will 
think  that  you  wish  to  remain  with  them." 

"Mrs.  Lascelles  judges  of  other  people  by  herself." 

"The  captain  is  certainly  a  very  well-behaved,  hand- 
217 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

some  man.     He  looks  like  a  nobleman  in  disguise.     What  an 
odd  thing  it  would  be,  aunt,  if  this  should  be  all  a  hoax  ! " 

"  A  hoax,  child  ? "  replied  Miss  Ossulton,  sitting  up  on 
the  sofa. 

Cecilia  found  that  she  had  hit  the  right  nail,  as  the 
saying  is ;  and  she  brought  forward  so  many  arguments  to 
prove  that  she  thought  it  was  a  hoax  to  frighten  them,  and 
that  the  gentleman  above  was  a  man  of  consequence,  that  her 
aunt  began  to  listen  to  reason,  and  at  last  consented  to  join 
the  dinner-party.  Mrs.  Lascelles  now  came  down  below;  and 
when  dinner  was  announced  they  repaired  to  the  large  cabin, 
where  they  found  Pickersgill  and  Corbett  waiting  for  them. 

Miss  Ossulton  did  not  venture  to  look  up,  until  she  heard 
Pickersgill  say  to  Mrs.  Lascelles,  "  Perhaps,  madam,  you  will 
do  me  the  favour  to  introduce  me  to  that  lady,  whom  I 
have  not  had  the  honour  of  seeing  before  ?  " 

"Certainly,  my  lord,"  replied  Mrs.  Lascelles.  "  Miss 
Ossulton,  the  aunt  of  this  young  lady." 

Mrs.  Lascelles  purposely  did  not  introduce  his  lordship  in 
return,  that  she  might  mystify,  the  old  spinster. 

"  I  feel  highly  honoured  in  finding  myself  in  the  company 
of  Miss  Ossulton,"  said  Pickersgill.  "Ladies,  we  wait  but 
for  you  to  sit  down.  Ossulton,  take  the  head  of  the  table 
and  serve  the  soup." 

Miss  Ossulton  was  astonished  ;  she  looked  at  the  smugglers, 
and  perceived  two  well-dressed  gentlemanly  men,  one  of 
whom  was  apparently  a  lord,  and  the  other  having  the  same 
family  name. 

"  It  must  be  all  a  hoax,"  thought  she,  and  she  very  quietly 
took  to  her  soup. 

The  dinner  passed  off  very  pleasantly ;  Pickersgill  was 
agreeable,  Corbett  funny,  and  Miss  Ossulton  so  far  recovered 
herself  as  to  drink  wine  with  his  lordship,  and  to  ask  Corbett 
what  branch  of  their  family  he  belonged  to. 

"I  presume  it's  the  Irish  branch?"  said  Mrs.  Lascelles, 
prompting  him. 

218 


THE  SMUGGLING  YACHT 

"Exactly,  madam/'  replied  Corbett. 

"  Have  you  ever  been  to  Torquay,  ladies  ? "  inquired 
Pickersgill. 

"  No,  my  lord,"  answered  Mrs.  Lascelles. 

"We  shall  anchor  there  in  the  course  of  an  hour,  and 
probably  remain  there  till  to-morrow.  Steward,  bring  coffee. 
Tell  the  cook  these  cutlets  were  remarkably  well  dressed." 

The  ladies  retired  to  their  cabin.  Miss  Ossulton  was  now 
convinced  that  it  was  all  a  hoax ;  "  but,"  said  she,  "  I  shall  tell 
Lord  B.  my  opinion  of  their  practical  jokes  when  he  returns. 
What  is  his  lordship's  name  who  is  on  board  ?  " 

"  He  won't  tell  us,"  replied  Mrs.  Lascelles ;  "  but  I  think 
I  know ;  it  is  Lord  Blarney." 

"  Lord  Blaney,  you  mean,  I  presume,"  said  Miss  Ossulton ; 
''however,  the  thing  is  carried  too  far.  Cecilia,  we  will  go 
on  shore  at  Torquay,  and  wait  till  the  yacht  returns  with 
Lord  B.  I  don't  like  these  jokes ;  they  may  do  very  well 
for  widows,  and  people  of  no  rank." 

Now  Mrs.  Lascelles  was  sorry  to  find  Miss  Ossulton  so 
much  at  her  ease.  She  owed  her  no  little  spite,  an4  wished 
for  revenge.  Ladies  will  go  very  far  to  obtain  this.  How 
far  Mrs.  Lascelles  would  have  gone,  I  will  not  pretend  to 
say ;  but  this  is  certain,  that  the  last  innuendo  of  Miss 
Ossulton  very  much  added  to  her  determination.  She  took 
her  bonnet  and  went  on  deck,  at  once  told  Pickersgill  that 
he  could  not  please  her  or  Cecilia  more  than  by  frightening 
Miss  Ossulton,  who,  under  the  idea  that  it  was  all  a  hoax, 
had  quite  recovered  her  spirits ;  talked  of  her  pride  and 
ill-nature,  and  wished  her  to  receive  a  useful  lesson.  Thus, 
to  follow  up  her  revenge,  did  Mrs.  Lascelles  commit  herself 
so  far  as  to  be  confidential  with  the  smuggler  in  return. 

"  Mrs.  Lascelles,  I  shall  be  able  to  obey  you,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  to  combine  business  with  pleasure." 

After  a  short  conversation,  the  yacht  dropped  her  anchor 
at  Torquay.  It  was  then  about  two  hours  before  sunset. 
As  soon  as  the  sails  were  furled,  one  or  two  gentlemen, 
219 


THE   THREE  CUTTERS 

who  resided  there,  came  on  board  to  pay  their  respects  to 
Lord  B. ;  and,  as  Pickersgill  had  found  out  from  Cecilia  that 
her  father  was  acquainted  with  no  one  there,  he  received 
them  in  person ;  asked  them  down  into  the  cabin — called  for 
wine — and  desired  them  to  send  their  boat  away,  as  his  own 
was  going  on  shore.  The  smugglers  took  great  care  that  the 
steward,  cook,  and  lady's-maid  should  have  no  communica- 
tion with  the  guests ;  one  of  them,  by  Corbett's  direction, 
being  a  sentinel  over  each  individual.  The  gentlemen  re- 
mained about  half-an-hour  on  board,  during  which  Corbett 
and  the  smugglers  had  filled  the  portmanteaus  found  in 
the  cabin  with  the  lace,  and  they  were  put  in  the  boat ; 
Corbett  then  landed  the  gentlemen  in  the  same  boat,  and 
went  up  to  the  hotel,  the  smugglers  following  him  with  the 
portmanteaus,  without  any  suspicion  or  interruption.  As 
soon  as  he  was  there,  he  ordered  post-horses,  and  set  off  for 
a  town  close  by,  where  he  had  correspondents  ;  and  thus  the 
major  part  of  the  cargo  was  secured.  Corbett  then  returned 
in  the  night,  bringing  with  him  people  to  receive  the  goods ; 
and  the  smugglers  landed  the  silks,  teas,  &c.,  with  the  same 
good  fortune.  Everything  was  out  of  the  yacht  except  a 
portion  of  the  lace,  which  the  portmanteaus  would  not  hold. 
Pickersgill  might  easily  have  sent  this  on  shore ;  but,  to 
please  Mrs.  Lascelles,  he  arranged  otherwise. 

The  next  morning,  about  an  hour  after  breakfast  was 
finished,  Mrs.  Lascelles  entered  the  cabin  pretending  to  be 
in  the  greatest  consternation,  and  fell  on  the  sofa  as  if  she 
were  going  to  faint. 

"  Good  heavens  !  what  is  the  matter  ?  "  exclaimed  Cecilia, 
who  knew  very  well  what  was  coming. 

"  Oh,  the  wretch  !  he  has  made  such  proposals  ! " 

"  Proposals  !  what  proposals  ?  what !  Lord  Blaney  ?  "  cried 
Miss  Ossulton. 

"Oh,  he's  no  lord  !  he's  a  villain  and  a  smuggler!  and  he 
insists  that  we  shall  both  fill  our  pockets  full  of  lace,  and 
go  on  shore  with  him." 

220 


THE  SMUGGLING   YACHT 

"  Mercy  on  me  !  Then  it  is  no  hoax  after  all ;  and  I've 
been  sitting  down  to  dinner  with  a  smuggler  !  " 

"  Sitting  down,  madam  ! — if  it  were  to  be  no  more  than 
that — but  we  are  to  take  his  arm  up  to  the  hotel.  Oh,  dear ! 
Cecilia,  I  am  ordered  on  deck  ;  pray  come  with  me  ! " 

Miss  Ossulton  rolled  on  the  sofa,  and  rang  for  Phoebe ;  she 
was  in  a  state  of  great  alarm. 

A  knock  at  the  door. 

"  Come  in,"  said  Miss  Ossulton,  thinking  it  was  Phoebe ; 
when  Pickersgill  made  his  appearance. 

"  What  do  you  want,  sir  ?  Go  out,  sir  !  go  out  directly,  or 
I'll  scream  ! " 

"  It  is  no  use  screaming,  madam ;  recollect,  that  all  on 
board  are  at  my  service.  You  will  oblige  me  by  listening 
to  me,  Miss  Ossulton.  I  am,  as  you  know,  a  smuggler  ;  and  I 
must  send  this  lace  on  shore.  You  will  oblige  me  by  putting 
it  into  your  pockets,  or  about  your  person,  and  prepare  to  go 
on  shore  with  me.  As  soon  as  we  arrive  at  the  hotel,  you  will 
deliver  it  to  me,  and  I  then  shall  reconduct  you  on  board  of 
the  yacht.  You  are  not  the  first  lady  who  has  gone  on  shore 
with  contraband  articles  about  her  person." 

"Me,  sir!  go  on  shore  in  that  way?  No,  sir- never ! 
What  will  the  world  say  ? — the  Hon.  Miss  Ossulton  walking 
with  a  smuggler  !  No,  sir — never  !  " 

"  Yes,  madam ;  walking  arm-in-arm  with  a  smuggler.  I 
shall  have  you  on  one  arm,  and  Mrs.  Lascelles  on  the  other ; 
and  I  would  advise  you  to  take  it  very  quietly ;  for,  in  the 
first  place,  it  will  be  you  who  smuggle,  as  the  goods  will  be 
found  on  your  person,  and  you  will  certainly  be  put  in  prison ; 
for  at  the  least  appearance  of  insubordination,  we  run  and  in- 
form against  you  ;  and  further,  your  niece  will  remain  on  board 
as  a  hostage  for  your  good  behaviour — and  if  you  have  any 
regard  for  her  liberty,  you  will  consent  immediately." 

Pickersgill  Left  the  cabin,  and  shortly  afterwards  Cecilia 
and  Mrs.  Lascelles  entered,  apparently  much  distressed. 
They  had  been  informed  of  all,  and  Mrs.  Lascelles  declared, 
221 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

that  for  her  part,  sooner  than  leave  her  poor  Cecilia  to  the 
mercy  of  such  people,  she  had  made  up  her  mind  to  submit 
to  the  smuggler's  demands.  Cecilia  also  begged  so  earnestly, 
that  Miss  Ossulton,  who  had  no  idea  that  it  was  a  trick,  with 
much  sobbing  and  blubbering,  consented. 

When  all  was  ready  Cecilia  left  the  cabin;  Pickersgill 
came  down,  handed  up  the  two  ladies,  who  had  not  exchanged 
a  word  with  each  other  during  Cecilia's  absence;  the  boat 
was  ready  alongside — they  went  in,  and  pulled  on  shore. 
Everything  succeeded  to  the  smuggler's  satisfaction.  Miss 
Ossulton,  frightened  out  of  her  wits,  took  his  arm  ;  and,  with 
Mrs.  Lascelles  on  the  other,  they  went  up  to  the  hotel, 
followed  by  four  of  his  boat's  crew.  As  soon  as  they  were 
shown  into  a  room,  Corbett,  who  was  already  on  shore,  asked 
for  Lord  B.,  and  joined  them.  The  ladies  retired  to  another 
apartment,  divested  themselves  of  their  contraband  goods, 
and  after  calling  for  some  sandwiches  and  wine,  Pickersgill 
waited  an  hour,  and  then  returned  on  board.  Mrs.  Lascelles 
was  triumphant ;  and  she  rewarded  her  new  ally — the 
smuggler — with  one  of  her  sweetest  smiles.  Community  of 
interest  will  sometimes  make  strange  friendships. 


CHAPTER  YII 

CONCLUSION 

W  E  must  now  return  to  the  other  parties  who  have  assisted 
in  the  acts  of  this  little  drama.  Lord  B.,  after  paddling  and 
paddling,  the  men  relieving  each  other,  in  order  to  make 
head  against  the  wind,  which  was  off  shore,  arrived  about 
midnight  at  a  small  town  in  West  Bay,  from  whence  he  took 
a  chaise  on  to  Portsmouth,  taking  it  for  granted  that  his 
yacht  would  arrive  as  soon  as,  if  not  before  himself,  little 
imagining  that  it  was  in  possession  of  the  smugglers.  There 
he  remained  three  or  four  days,  when,  becoming  impatient, 
222 


CONCLUSION 

he  applied  to  one  of  his  friends  who  had  a  yacht  at  Cowes, 
and  sailed  with  him  to  look  after  his  own. 

We  left  the  Happy-go-lucky  chased  by  the  revenue  cutter. 
At  first  the  smuggler  had  the  advantage  before  the  wind ; 
but,  by  degrees,  the  wind  went  round  with  the  sun,  and 
brought  the  revenue  cutter  to  leeward :  it  was  then  a  chase 
on  a  wind,  and  the  revenue  cutter  came  fast  up  with  her. 

Morrison,  perceiving  that  he  had  no  chance  of  escape,  let 
run  the  ankers  of  brandy  that  he  might  not  be  condemned  ; 
but  still  he  was  in  an  awkward  situation,  as  he  had  more  men 
on  board  than  allowed  by  Act  of  Parliament.  He  therefore 
stood  on,  notwithstanding  the  shot  of  the  cutter  went  over 
and  over  him,  hoping  that  a  fog  or  night  might  enable  him  to 
escape ;  but  he  had  no  such  good  fortune ;  one  of  the  shot 
carried  away  the  head  of  his  mast,  and  the  Happy-go-lucky 's 
luck  was  all  over.  He  was  boarded  and  taken  possession  of; 
he  asserted  that  the  extra  men  were  only  passengers ;  but, 
in  the  first  place,  they  were  dressed  in  seamen's  clothes  ; 
and,  in  the  second,  as  soon  as  the  boat  was  aboard  of  her, 
Appleboy  had  gone  down  to  his  gin-toddy,  and  was  not  to 
be  disturbed.  The  gentlemen  smugglers  therefore  passed  an 
uncomfortable  night ;  and  the  cutter  going  to  Portland  by 
daylight,  before  Appleboy  was  out  of  bed,  they  were  taken 
on  shore  to  the  magistrate.  Hautaine  explained  the  whole 
affair,  and  they  were  immediately  released  and  treated  with 
respect ;  but  they  were  not  permitted  to  depart  until  they 
were  bound  over  to  appear  against  the  smugglers,  and  prove 
the  brandy  having  been  on  board.  They  then  set  off  for 
Portsmouth  in  the  seamen's  clothes,  having  had  quite  enough 
of  yachting  for  that  season,  Mr.  Ossulton  declaring  that  he 
only  wanted  to  get  his  luggage,  and  then  he  would  take 
care  how  he  put  himself  again  in  the  way  of  the  shot  of  a 
revenue  cruiser,  or  of  sleeping  a  night  on  her  decks. 

In  the  meantime  Morrison  and  his  men  were  locked  up  in 
the  jail,  the  old  man,  as  the  key  was  turned  on  him,  exclaiming, 
as  he  raised  his  foot  in  vexation,  "  That  cursed  blue  pigeon." 
223 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

We  will  now  return  to  the  yacht. 

About  an  hour  after  Pickersgill  had  come  on  board,  Corbett 
had  made  all  his  arrangements  and  followed  him.  It  was  not 
advisable  to  remain  at  Torquay  any  longer,  through  fear  of 
discovery ;  he  therefore  weighed  the  anchor  before  dinner, 
and  made  sail. 

"  What  do  you  intend  to  do  now,  my  lord  ? "  said  Mrs. 
Lascelles. 

"  I  intend  to  run  down  to  Cowes,  anchor  the  yacht  in  the 
night,  and  an  hour  before  daylight  have  you  in  my  boat  with 
all  my  men.  I  will  take  care  that  you  are  in  perfect  safety, 
depend  upon  it,  even  if  I  run  a  risk.  I  should,  indeed,  be 
miserable,  if,  through  my  wild  freaks,  any  accident  should 
happen  to  Mrs.  Lascelles  or  Miss  Ossulton." 

"I  am  very  anxious  about  my  father,"  observed  Cecilia. 
"  I  trust  that  you  will  keep  your  promise." 

"  I  always  have  hitherto,  Miss  Ossulton  ;  have  I  not  ?  " 

"  Ours  is  but  a  short  and  strange  acquaintance." 

"  I  grant  it ;  but  it  will  serve  for  you  to  talk  about  long 
after.  I  shall  disappear  as  suddenly  as  I  have  come — you 
will  neither  of  you,  in  all  probability,  ever  see  me  again," 

The  dinner  was  announced,  and  they  sat  down  to  table  as 
before ;  but  the  elderly  spinster  refused  to  make  her  appear- 
ance, and  Mrs.  Lascelles  and  Cecilia,  who  thought  she  had  been 
frightened  enough,  did  not  attempt  to  force  her.  Pickersgill 
immediately  yielded  to  these  remonstrances,  and  from  that 
time  she  remained  undisturbed  in  the  ladies'  cabin,  meditating 
over  the  indignity  of  having  sat  down  to  table,  having  drank 
wine,  and  been  obliged  to  walk  on  shore,  taking  the  arm  of  a 
smuggler,  and  appear  in  such  a  humiliating  situation. 

The  wind  was  light,  and  they  made  but  little  progress,  and 
were  not  abreast  of  Portland  till  the  second  day,  when 
another  yacht  appeared  in  sight,  and  the  two  vessels  slowly 
neared,  until  in  the  afternoon  they  were  within  four  miles  of 
each  other.  It  then  fell  a  dead  calm  :  signals  were  thrown 
out  by  the  other  yacht,  but  could  not  be  distinguished,  and, 
224 


CONCLUSION 

for  the  last  time,  they  sat  down  to  dinner.  Three  days' 
companionship  on  board  of  a  vessel,  cooped  up  together,  and 
having  no  one  else  to  converse  with,  will  produce  intimacy  ; 
and  Pickersgill  was  a  young  man  of  so  much  originality  and 
information,  th'it  he  was  listened  to  with  pleasure.  He  never 
attempted  to  advance  beyond  the  line  of  strict  decorum 
and  politeness ;  and  his  companion  was  equally  unpresuming. 
Situated  as  they  were,  and  feeling  what  must  have  been 
the  case  had  they  fallen  into  other  hands,  both  Cecilia  and 
Mrs.  Lascelles  felt  some  degree  of  gratitude  towards  him ;  and, 
although  anxious  to  be  relieved  from  so  strange  a  position, 
they  had  gradually  acquired  a  perfect  confidence  in  him  ; 
and  this  had  produced  a  degree  of  familiarity  on  their  parts, 
although  never  ventured  upon  by  the  smuggler.  As  Corbett 
was  at  the  table,  one  of  the  men  came  down  and  made  a 
sign.  Corbett  shortly  after  quitted  the  table  and  went  on 
deck.  "  I  wish,  my  lord,  you  would  come  up  a  moment,  and  see 
if  you  can  make  this  flag  out,"  said  Corbett,  giving  a  significant 
nod  to  Pickersgill.  "  Excuse  me,  ladies,  one  moment,"  said 
Pickersgill,  who  went  on  deck. 

"  It  is  the  boat  of  the  yacht  coming  on  board,"  said 
Corbett ;  "  and  Lord  B.  is  in  the  stern-sheets  with  the  gentle- 
man who  was  with  him." 

"  And  how  many  men  in  the  boat  ? — let  me  see — only  four. 
Well,  let  his  lordship  and  his  friend  come  :  when  they  are  on 
the  deck,  have  the  men  ready  in  case  of  accident ;  but  if  you 
can  manage  to  tell  the  boat's  crew  that  they  are  to  go  on 
board  again,  and  get  rid  of  them  that  way,  so  much  the 
better.  Arrange  this  with  Adams,  and  then  come  down 
again — his  lordship  must  see  us  all  at  dinner." 

Pickersgill  then  descended,  and  Corbett  had  hardly  time 
to  give  his  directions  and  to  resume  his  seat,  before  his  lord- 
ship and  Mr.  Stewart  pulled  up  alongside  and  jumped  on  deck. 
"There  was  no  one  to  receive  them  but  the  seamen,  and  those 
whom  they  did  not  know.  They  looked  round  in  amazement ; 
at  last  his  lordship  said  to  Adams,  who  stood  forward — 
225  p 


THE   THREE   CUTTERS 

"What  men  are  you  ?  " 

"  Belong  to  the  yacht,  ye'r  honour." 

Lord  B.  heard  laughing  in  the  cabin  ;  he  would  not  wait  to 
interrogate  the  men ;  he  walked  aft,  followed  by  Mr.  Stewart, 
looked  down  the  skylight,  and  perceived  his  daughter  and 
Mrs.  Lascelles,  with,  as  he  supposed,  Hautaine  and  Ossulton 

Pickersgill  had  heard  the  boat  rub  the  side,  and  the  sound 
of  the  feet  on  deck,  and  he  talked  the  more  loudly,  that  the 
ladies  might  be  caught  by  Lord  B.  as  they  were.  He  heard 
their  feet  at  the  skylight,  and  knew  that  they  could  hear 
what  passed  ;  and  at  that  moment  he  proposed  to  the  ladies 
that  as  this  was  their  last  meeting  at  table  they  should  all 
take  a  glass  of  champagne  to  drink  to  "their  happy  meeting 
with  Lord  B."  This  was  a  toast  which  they  did  not  refuse. 
Maddox  poured  out  the  wine,  and  they  were  all  bowing  to 
each  other,  when  his  lordship,  who  had  come  down  the  ladder, 
walked  into  the  cabin,  followed  by  Mr.  Stewart.  Cecilia  per- 
ceived her  father;  the  champagne-glass  dropped  from  her 
hand — she  flew  into  his  arms,  and  burst  into  tears. 

"Who  would  not  be  a  father,  Mrs.  Lascelles  ? "  said 
Pickersgill,  quietly  seating  himself,  after  having  first  risen  to 
receive  Lord  B. 

"  And  pray,  whom  may  I  have  the  honour  of  finding  estab- 
lished here  ? "  said  Lord  B.,  in  an  angry  tone,  speaking  over 
his  daughter's  head,  who  still  lay  in  his  arms.  "  By  heavens, 
yes  ! — Stewart,  it  is  the  smuggling  captain  dressed  out." 

"Even  so,  my  lord,"  replied  Pickersgill.  "You  abandoned 
your  yacht  to  capture  me ;  you  left  these  ladies  in  a  vessel 
crippled  for  want  of  men  ;  they  might  have  been  lost.  I 
have  returned  good  for  evil  by  coming  on  board  with  my  own 
people,  and  taking  charge  of  them.  This  night  I  expected 
to  have  anchored  your  vessel  in  Cowes,  and  have  left  them 
in  safety." 

"  By  the "  cried  Stewart. 

"Stop,  sir,  if  you  please!"  cried  Pickersgill;  "recollect 
you  have  once  already  attacked  one  who  never  offended. 
426 


CONCLUSION 

Oblige  me  by  refraining  from  intemperate  language  ;  for  1 
tell  you  I  will  not  put  up  with  it.  Recollect,  sir,  that  I  have 
refrained  from  that,  and  also  from  taking  advantage  of  you 
when  you  were  in  my  power.  Recollect,  sir,  also,  that  the 
yacht  is  still  in  possession  of  the  smugglers,  and  that  you  are 
in  no  condition  to  insult  with  impunity.  My  lord,  allow  me 
to  observe,  that  we  men  are  too  hot  of  temperament  to  argue 
or  listen  coolly.  With  your  permission,  your  friend,  and  my 
friend,  and  I,  will  repair  on  deck,  leaving  you  to  hear  from 
your  daughter  and  that  lady  all  that  has  passed.  After  that, 
my  lord,  I  shall  be  most  happy  to  hear  anything  which  your 
lordship  may  please  to  say." 

"  Upon  my  word —  -"  commenced  Mr.  Stewart. 

"  Mr.  Stewart/'  interrupted  Cecilia  Ossulton,  "  I  request 
your  silence ;  nay,  more,  if  ever  we  ai-e  again  to  sail  in  the 
same  vessel  together,  1  insist  upon  it."  *^> 

"  Your  lordship  will  oblige  me  by  enforcing  Miss  Ossulton's 
request,"  said  Mrs.  Lascelles. 

Mr.  Stewart  was  dumbfounded — no  wonder — to  find  the 
ladies  siding  with  the  smuggler. 

"  I  am  obliged  to  you,  ladies,  for  your  interference,"  said 
Pickersgill;  "for,  although  1  have  the  means  of  enforcing 
conditions,  I  should  be  sorry  to  avail  myself  of  them.  I 
wait  for  his  lordship's  reply." 

Lord  B.  was  very  much  surprised.  He  wished  for  an 
explanation ;  he  bowed  with  hauteur.  Everybody  appeared 
to  be  in  a  false  position ;  even  he,  Lord  B.,  somehow  or 
another  had  bowed  to  a  smuggler. 

Pickersgill  arid  Stewart  went  on  deck,  walking  up  and 
down,  crossing  each  other  without  speaking,  but  reminding 
you  of  two  dogs  who  are  both  anxious  to  fight,  but  have 
been  restrained  by  the  voice  of  their  masters.  Corbett 
followed,  and  talked  in  a  low  tone  to  Pickersgill ;  Stewart 
went  over  to  leeward  to  see  if  the  boat  was  still  alongside, 
but  it  had  long  before  returned  to  the  yacht.  Miss  Ossulton 
had  heard  her  brother's  voice,  but  did  not  come  out  of  the 
227 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

after-cabin ;  she  wished  to  be  magnificent,  and  at  the  same 
time  she  was  not  sure  whether  all  was  right,  Phoebe  having 
informed  her  that  there  was  nobody  with  her  brother  and 
Mr.  Stewart,  and  that  the  smugglers  still  had  the  command 
of  the  vessel.  After  a  while,  Pickersgill  and  Corbett  went 
down  forward,  and  returned  dressed  in  the  smuggler's  clothes, 
when  they  resumed  their  walk  on  the  deck. 

In  the  meantime  it  was  dark ;  the  cutter  flew  along  the 
coast,  and  the  Needles'  lights  were  on  the  larboard  bow. 
The  conversation  between  Mrs.  l^ascelles,  Cecilia,  and  her 
father  was  long.  When  all  had  been  detailed,  and  the  con- 
duct of  Pickersgill  duly  represented,  Lord  B.  acknowledged 
that,  by  attacking  the  smuggler,  he  had  laid  himself  open 
to  retaliation ;  that  Pickersgill  had  shown  a  great  deal  of 
forbearance  in  every  instance ;  and  after  all,  had  he  not  gone 
on  board  the  yacht,  she  might  have  been  lost,  with  only 
three  seamen  on  board.  He  was  amused  with  the  smuggling 
and  the  fright  of  his  sister,  still  more  with  the  gentlemen  being 
sent  to  Cherbourg,  and  much  consoled  that  he  was  not  the 
only  one  to  be  laughed  at.  He  was  also  much  pleased  with 
Pickersgill's  intention  of  leaving  the  yacht  safe  in  Cowes 
harbour,  his  respect  to  the  property  on  board,  and  his  conduct 
to  the  ladies.  On  the  whole,  he  felt  grateful  to  Pickersgill, 
and  where  there  is  gratitude  there  is  always  goodwill. 

"  But  who  can  he  be  ? "  said  Mrs.  Lascelles ;  "  his  name 
he  acknowledges  not  to  be  Pickersgill,  and  he  told  me  con- 
fidentially that  he  was  of  good  family." 

"  Confidentially,  my  dear  Mrs.  Lascelles  ?  "  said  Lord  B. 

"  Oh,  yes !  we  are  both  his  confidants.  Are  we  not, 
Cecilia  ? " 

"  Upon  my  honour,  Mrs.  Lascelles,  this  smuggler  appears  to 
have  made  an  impression  which  many  have  attempted  in  vain." 

Mrs.  Lascelles  did  not  reply  to  that  remark,  but  said, 
"  Now,  my  lord,  you  must  decide — and  I  trust  you  will,  to 
oblige  us,  treat  him  as  he  has  treated  us,  with  the  greatest 


"CONCLUSION 

"  Why  should  you  suppose  otherwise  ?  "  replied  Lord  B. ; 
"  it  is  not  only  my  wish  but  my  interest  so  to  do.  He  may 
take  us  over  to  France  to-night,  or  anywhere  else.  Has  he 
not  possession  of  the  vessel  ?" 

"  Yes/'  replied  Cecilia  ;  "  but  we  flatter  ourselves  that  we 
have  the  command.  Shall  we  call  him  down,  papa  ?  " 

"  Ring  for  Maddox.  Maddox,  tell  Mr.  Pickersgill,  who  is 
on  deck,  that  I  wish  to  speak  with  him,  and  shall  be  obliged 
by  his  stepping  down  into  the  cabin." 

"Who,  my  lord?     What?     Him?" 

"Yes,  him,"  replied  Cecilia,  laughing. 

"  Must  I  call  him  my  lord,  now,  miss  ?  " 

"  You  may  do  as  you  please,  Maddox  ;  but  recollect  he  is 
still  in  possession  of  the  vessel,"  replied  Cecilia. 

"Then,  with  your  lordship's  permission,  I  will;  it's  the 
safest  way." 

The  smuggler  entered  the  cabin ;  the  ladies  started  as  he 
appeared  in  his  rough  costume.  With  his  throat  open,  and 
his  loose  black  handkerchief,  he  was  the  beau  ideal  of  a 
handsome  sailor. 

"  Your  lordship  wishes  to  communicate  with  me  ?  " 

"  Mr.  Pickersgill,  I  feel  that  you  have  had  cause  of  enmity 
against  me,  and  that  you  have  behaved  with  forbearance. 
I  thank  you  for  your  considerate  treatment  of  the  ladies ;  and 
I  assure  you,  that  I  feel  no  resentment  for  what  has  passed." 

"  My  lord,  I  am  quite  satisfied  with  what  you  have  said  ; 
and  I  only  hope  that,  in  future,  you  will  not  interfere  with 
a  poor  smuggler,  who  may  be  striving,  by  a  life  of  danger 
and  privation,  to  procure  subsistence  for  himself,  and,  per- 
haps, his  family.  I  stated  to  these  ladies  my  intention  of 
anchoring  the  yacht  this  night  at  Cowes,  and  leaving  her  as 
soon  as  she  was  in  safety.  Your  unexpected  presence  will 
only  make  this  difference,  which  is,  that  I  must  previously 
obtain  your  lordship's  assurance  that  those  with  you  will  allow 
me  and  my  men  to  quit  her  without  molestation,  after  we 
have  performed  this  service." 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

"  I  pledge  you  my  word,  Mr.  Pickersgill,  and  I  thank  you 
into  the  bargain.  I  trust  you  will  allow  me  to  offer  some 
remuneration." 

"  Most  certainly  not,  my  lord." 

"  At  all  events,  Mr.  Pickersgill,  if,  at  any  other  time,  I  can 
be  of  service,  you  may  command  me." 

Pickersgill  made  no  reply. 

"  Surely,  Mr.  Pickersgill " 

"  Pickersgill !  how  I  hate  that  name  ! "  said  the  smuggler, 
musing.  "  I  beg  your  lordship's  pardon — if  I  may  require 
your  assistance  for  any  of  my  unfortunate  companions " 

"  Not  for  yourself,  Mr.  Pickersgill  ?  "  said  Mrs.  Lascelles. 

"  Madam,  I  smuggle  no  more." 

"  For  the  pleasure  I  feel  in  hearing  that  resolution,  Mr. 
Pickersgill,"  said  Cecilia,  "  take  my  hand  and  thanks." 

"  And  mine,"  said  Mrs.  Lascelles,  half  crying. 

"And  mine  too,"  said  Lord  B.,  rising  up. 

Pickersgill  passed  the  back  of  his  hand  across  his  eyes, 
turned  round,  and  left  the  cabin. 

"  I'm  so  happy  ! "  said  Mrs.  Lascelles,  bursting  into  tears. 

"  He's  a  magnificent  fellow,"  observed  Lord  B.  "  Come, 
let  us  all  go  on  deck." 

"  You  have  not  seen  my  aunt,  papa." 

"  True ;  I'll  go  in  to  her,  and  then  follow  you." 

The  ladies  went  up  on  deck.  Cecilia  entered  into  conversa- 
tion with  Mr.  Stewart,  giving  him  a  narrative  of  what  had  hap- 
pened. Mrs.  Lascelles  sat  abaft  at  the  taffrail,  with  her  pretty 
hand  supporting  her  cheek,  looking  very  much  a  la  Juliette. 

"  Mrs.  Lascelles,"  said  Pickersgill,  "  before  we  part,  allow 
me  to  observe,  that  it  is  you  who  have  induced  me  to  give 
up  my  profession " 

"Why  me,  Mr.  Pickersgill  ?" 

"  You  said  that  you  did  not  like  it." 

Mrs.  Lascelles  felt  the  force  of  the  compliment.  "  You  said 
just  now  that  you  hated  the  name  of  Pickersgill :  why  do  you 
call  yourself  so  ?  " 

230 


CONCLUSION 

"  It  was  my  smuggling  name,  Mrs.  Lascelles." 

"  And  now  that  you  have  left  off  smuggling,  pray  what  may 
be  the  name  we  are  to  call  you  by  ?  " 

if  I  cannot  resume  it  till  I  have  not  only  left  this  vessel,  but 
shaken  hands  with,  and  bid  farewell  to,  my  companions ;  and 
by  that  time,  Mrs.  Lascelles,  I  shall  be  away  from  you." 

"But  I've  a  great  curiosity  to  know  it;  and  a  lady's 
curiosity  must  be  gratified.  You  must  call  upon  me  some 
day,  and  tell  it  me.  Here  is  my  address." 

Pickersgill  received  the  card  with  a  low  bow  :  and  Lord  B, 
coming  on  deck,  Mrs.  Lascelles  hastened  to  meet  him. 

The  vessel  was  now  passing  the  Bridge  at  the  Needles, 
and  the  smuggler  piloted  her  on.  As  soon  as  they  were  clear 
and  well  inside,  the  whole  party  went  down  into  the  cabin, 
Lord  B.  requesting  Pickersgill  and  Corbett  to  join  him  in  a 
parting  glass.  Mr.  Stewart,  who  had  received  the  account  of 
what  had  passed  from  Cecilia,  was  very  attentive  to  Pickers- 
gill,  and  took  an  opportunity  of  saying  that  he  was  sorry  that 
he  had  said  or  done  anything  to  annoy  him.  Every  one 
recovered  his  spirits  ;  and  all  was  good-humour  and  mirth, 
because  Miss  Ossulton  adhered  to  her  resolution  of  not 
quitting  the  cabin  till  she  could  quit  the  yacht.  At  ten 
o'clock  the  yacht  was  anchored.  Pickersgill  took  his  leave 
of  the  honourable  company,  and  went  in  his  boat  with  his 
men ;  and  Lord  B.  was  again  in  possession  of  his  vessel, 
although  he  had  not  a  ship's  company,  Maddox  recovered 
his  usual  tone ;  and  the  cook  flourished  his  .knife,  swearing 
that  he  should  like  to  see  the  smuggler  who  would  again  order 
him  to  dress  cutlets  a  I 'ombre  Chinoise. 

The  yacht  had  remained  three  days  at  Cowes,  when  Lord  B. 
received  a  letter  from  Pickersgill,  stating  that  the  men  of 
his  vessel  had  been  captured,  and  would  be  condemned,  in 
consequence  of  their  having  the  gentlemen  on  board,  who 
were  bound  to  appear  against  them,  to  prove  that  they  had 
sunk  the  brandy.  Lord  B.  paid  all  the  recognisances,  and  the 
men  were  liberated  for  want  of  evidence. 
231 


THE  THREE  CUTTERS 

It  was  about  two  years  after  this  that  Cecilia  Ossulton,  who 
was  sitting  at  her  work-table  in  deep  mourning  for  her  aunt, 
was  presented  with  a  letter  by  the  butler.  It  was  from  her 
friend  Mrs.  Lascelles,  informing  her  that  she  was  married 
again  to  a  Mr.  Davenant,  and  intended  to  pay  her  a  short  visit 
on  her  way  to  the  Continent.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Davenant  arrived 
the  next  day ;  and  when  the  latter  introduced  her  husband, 
she  said  to  Miss  Ossulton,  "  Look,  Cecilia  dear,  and  tell  me 
if  you  have  ever  seen  Davenant  before." 

Cecilia  looked  earnestly:  "I  have,  indeed,"  cried  she  at 
last,  extending  her  hand  with  warmth ;  "  and  happy  am  I  to 
meet  with  him  again." 

For  in  Mr.  Davenant  she  recognised  her  old  acquaintance 
the  captain  of  the  Happy-go-lucky,  Jack  Pickersgill  the 
smuggler. 


THE 


niiiiiliiiiiiii 

,  IIINIIII 

A     000026168     5 


